[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER RELATIVES WHO ARE CAREGIVERS

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                           HON. BOB BEAUPREZ

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. BEAUPREZ. Mr. Speaker, across the country there are more than 6 
million children living in grandparent and other relative headed 
households. About 2.5 million of these children are living in homes 
without either parent present. Regardless of the many reasons children 
enter relative care, including death of a parent, neglect, and 
substance abuse, it is never, ever the fault of the child. I commend 
grandparents and other relatives who step forward to care for these 
children, keeping them out of foster care while providing safe, stable, 
homes, often at great personal and financial sacrifice.
  Stories of a 78-year-old grandmother raising a four year old, a 71-
year-old grandfather raising 5 teenagers, or a single grandmother 
raising more than 6 grandchildren are all too common throughout 
Colorado and our nation.
  Grandparents and other relative caregivers are often the best chance 
for a loving and stable childhood for the children in their care, but 
their hard work and dedication often goes unnoticed. Mr. Speaker, 
today, I offer my formal acknowledgement and deepest appreciation for 
the ongoing service of these caregivers to our country and our nation's 
most valuable asset, our children.

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