[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21756-21757]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING GRANDPARENT- AND OTHER RELATIVE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to honor the grandparent- 
and other relative-headed households who have sacrificed to care for 
our Nation's children when the parents are unable to.
  Across the country there are more than 6 million minors living in 
grandparent- or other relative-headed households. Regardless of the 
reason children enter relative care--death of a parent, neglect, abuse, 
military deployment or poverty--it is never the fault of the child. I 
commend grandparents and other relatives who step forward to care for 
these children, keeping the children out of foster care while providing 
safe and stable homes, often at great personal sacrifice. Supportive 
programs

[[Page 21757]]

like subsidized guardianship help children exit foster care into the 
permanent care of nurturing relatives.
  In my state of Florida, 9 percent of the children live with non-
parent relatives. 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 go unnoticed.
  Mr. Speaker, today I offer my formal acknowledgment and deepest 
appreciation for the ongoing service of these caregivers to our country 
and our Nation's most valuable asset, our children. I ask all Members 
of the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing these 
everyday heroes.

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