[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10976]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                              FOSTER CARE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of our 
Nation's foster care youth during National Foster Care month.
  As of January 2003, there were 33,000 children in Los Angeles County 
foster care, which is the highest number of dependents in any county. I 
represent many of these youngsters who, on average, live in five 
different places. I co-sponsored H.R. 1534, which strives to place 
children in safe, loving, and permanent homes.
  But what happens when these youths turn 18 and ``age out?'' Only 27 
percent of foster care high school graduates attend college, half the 
national average. Foster care youths lack the funding and supportive 
climate college students need to succeed. I support legislation that 
helps foster care students with their college admissions and financing.
  This week the Committee on Government Reform will meet to determine 
how our current foster care structure can be strengthened.
  This Congress must act to ensure the future of our foster care youth 
is as bright as any other child's. Thank you.

                          ____________________