[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16894-16896]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING FOSTER YOUTH TO THE WORKFORCE 
                      THROUGH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1332) recognizing the importance of connecting 
foster youth to the workforce through internship programs, and 
encouraging employers to increase employment of former foster youth.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1332

       Whereas, on any given day, there are more than 500,000 
     youth in foster care in the United States;
       Whereas an estimated 26,000 of these youth are discharged 
     from the foster care system or ``age out'' with little to no 
     resources to start their own lives;
       Whereas the people of the United States have a sincere 
     appreciation for the circumstances that place children in 
     foster care;
       Whereas foster youth possess unique qualities and skills 
     that make them ideal candidates for employment, but compared 
     to youth nationally and youth from low-income families, they 
     are less likely to be employed or employed regularly;
       Whereas, when afforded comprehensive support, this 
     resilient population excels in the job market;
       Whereas, within 18 months after leaving foster care, 25 
     percent of foster youth become homeless and comprise more 
     than a quarter of the United States homeless population;
       Whereas, without positive intervention, youth who age out 
     of foster care often have bouts of homelessness, criminal 
     activity, and incarceration;
       Whereas addressing job readiness early in the transition to 
     adulthood is critical to shaping the future trajectories of 
     these youth; and
       Whereas youth who begin connecting to the workforce prior 
     to discharge from foster care maintain the highest 
     probability of employment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to 
     the workforce through internship programs, such as the Orphan 
     Foundation of America's InternAmerica program, that provide 
     foster youth the foundation upon which to build their careers 
     and to be successful members of the work force; and
       (2) encourages employers of all sectors and Federal, State, 
     and local governmental agencies to increase employment of the 
     young men and women who have been discharged from foster care 
     in the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hare) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 1332 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1332, which recognizes 
the importance of connecting foster youth to employment opportunities. 
The foster care system currently serves 500,000 youth. Out of those 
500,000 foster youth, 25 percent of them become homeless within 18 
months after aging out of the system. Many of these young people find 
themselves on the street with few resources. Not only are they without 
housing and a family support system, but they also lack work experience 
that can help them reverse their downward slide.
  The resolution before us today points out the importance of 
connecting youth to the workforce through internship programs and, in 
particular, how foster kids can benefit from these opportunities.
  Orphan Foundation of America's Intern American program offers foster 
youth top-tier internships, housing and professional development 
seminars here in our Nation's Capital. Some of these great internships 
coordinated by OFA's Intern American program are with Members of 
Congress, Fortune 500 companies and major not-for-profit organizations. 
These work experiences allow foster children to develop talents and 
increase their skill sets.
  Young people who have early work experiences are better prepared to 
succeed in the workforce. Unfortunately, many foster youth are unaware 
of the opportunities to gain this experience. House Resolution 1332 
encourages employers from all sectors to increase employment 
opportunities for young people who were in the foster care system.
  Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for this resolution, 
and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

[[Page 16895]]

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I too rise today in support of House Resolution 1332, 
which recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to the 
workplace. This resolution also encourages employers to employ former 
foster youth.
  On any given day, Madam Speaker, there are more than 500,000 youth in 
foster care in the United States. Children are placed in foster care 
when their parents are no longer able to ensure their essential well-
being. These children need stable loving care until they can either 
safely reunite with their families or cultivate other lasting 
relationships with nurturing adults.
  Foster youth possess unique qualities and skills that make them ideal 
candidates for employment. But compared to youth nationally and youth 
from low-income families, they are less likely to be employed or 
employed regularly.
  Foster youth experience challenges based on the instability in their 
home and school environments. Just over half of all foster youth 
complete high school. 30 percent continue to rely on public assistance 
into adulthood, and 25 percent will experience homelessness at one 
point in their lives.
  Without positive intervention, youth who age out of foster care often 
have bouts of homelessness, criminal activity and incarceration. 
However, when afforded comprehensive support, the resilient foster 
youth population excels in the job market.
  Foster youth who begin connecting to the workforce prior to release 
from foster care maintain the highest probability of employment. By 
addressing job readiness early in the transition to adulthood, 
employers are helping to shape the future trajectories of these youth.
  This resolution encourages employers of all sectors, including 
Federal, State and local government agencies, to increase employment of 
the young men and women who have been discharged from foster care in 
the United States. By connecting foster youth to the workforce through 
internship programs, employers can assist in building the foundation 
for these youth to become successful members of the workforce and to 
build successful careers. That is why I stand in support of this 
resolution and ask for all my colleagues support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield as much time as he may 
consume to the author of this House resolution that is so vital, 
Representative Cardoza from California.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois for his gracious management of this issue, and also my 
colleague from Minnesota, who spoke so graciously in support of it.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1332, the Fostering 
Employment Opportunities Act.
  I also want to thank Chairman McDermott who is in the House Chamber 
at this time, and Congressman Fattah, both of whom join me as co-
authors of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, there are over a half a million children who have been 
abused or abandoned, through no fault of their own, who end up in the 
United States foster care system. While in foster care, many of them 
experience multiple placements and find it difficult to establish a 
community.
  Madam Speaker, every year, 26,000 young people are discharged from 
foster care on the midnight of their 18th birthday with few resources 
to start their own lives. Their health care coverage is terminated in a 
vast number of States, and with little or no family support, many of 
them end up homeless or unemployed or in jail.
  I have met a number of these youth, and they are remarkable 
survivors. They have the same hopes and dreams as all other children in 
America. They want to be mechanics and doctors. They want to serve our 
country as soldiers and policemen. But they have a harder path to 
realizing their dream.
  Despite their resilience and their other unique qualities that make 
these youth ideal candidates for employment, statistically, foster 
youth are the most likely to be unemployed, and comprise 27 percent of 
the Nation's homeless population. Part of it has to do with the impact 
of the instability of their younger years. And part is the result of 
the negative and unjustified stereotypes placed on this population that 
may cause employers to look past this pool of qualified candidates.
  Another part is that many young people today are connected to the 
workforce through internships, often arranged by their parents, with 
business or social associates and connections. However, foster youth 
tend to lack a stable environment due to the number of foster home 
placements that they have over the course of their lives, and have 
limited family or community connections. As such, foster youth are not 
afforded the same opportunities and are often left behind.
  This resolution is simple. It encourages employers to look twice at 
these remarkable young people who are highly qualified, in many cases, 
and equally deserving.
  Madam Speaker, I speak to you today as a father as well as an author 
of this resolution. A father of two foster children who I am so lucky, 
my wife and I are so lucky to have adopted, one of whom is with me 
today, my daughter, Elaina. She, luckily has a home now. It is a 
permanent home. That wasn't always the case for her. We are just 
looking to offer the same kinds of opportunities that this country will 
offer Elaina now, to every foster youth in the country.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers on 
this side, so I will just yield myself a moment, if I might, to say 
well done to my colleague from California, and to urge all my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, again I just want to thank the author of 
this incredibly wonderful resolution, Representative Cardoza from 
California, and commend him for the hard work and dedication that he 
put into this effort.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Res. 1332, ``Recognizing the importance of connecting foster youth 
to the workforce through internship programs, and encouraging employers 
to increase employment of former foster youth''. First, I would like to 
thank my distinguished colleague, Dennis Cardoza of California, for 
introducing this important piece of legislation. This resolution will 
recognize the significance of creating links between foster youth and 
the workplace through internship opportunities while also urging 
employers to pursue former foster youth. The creation of internship and 
employment opportunities for current and former foster youths has the 
potential to dramatically shape the lives of thousands for the better. 
I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this act.
  There are over 500,000 children and youth in foster care. As the 
youth age out of the system, 50 percent become homeless within the 
first 18 months of emancipation. Less than half of these youth are 
employed 2.5-4 years after leaving the system. Only 38 percent remain 
employed for over a year. Former foster care youth are twice as likely 
to have children in foster care. This problem is systemic, yet through 
opportunities and internships we can break this cycle of impoverishment 
and failure.
  This bill is an appeal to our Nation's employers to help us address 
this issue by providing internships for disadvantaged foster youth, and 
by providing employment once they ``age-out'' of the foster care 
system. Such action will instill knowledge and work-ethic. These 
experiences will open up a new world of opportunity to a group that was 
struggling, not due to a lack of inherent qualifications, but rather 
due to the misfortunes of their upbringing.
  This resolution will express the desire of Congress to address the 
problems of foster care youth, and this resolution will express 
Congress' widespread support of partnerships and initiatives between 
businesses and foster care programs, to help better prepare foster care 
youth for the working world.
  This resolution seeks to benefit the over 500,000 foster care 
children and youth by providing them with the opportunity to further

[[Page 16896]]

themselves through educational and work experiences. As these 
experiences accrue, they will present the foster youth with an idea of 
the opportunities latent within their world, and will hopefully inspire 
them to move forward in pursuit of job and educational opportunities.
  As of 2003 there were 26,133 children in the Texas foster care 
system. Since then, the number has only risen. For many of these 
children the future will include stints in jail, poverty, and 
homelessness, yet strong action on the part of businesses and foster 
care programs in creating internships and partnerships may save many 
from this fate, leading them to secure jobs and successful lives. I 
have often concerned myself with issues regarding the safety and 
success of our future, our Nation's children. By preventing toxic lead 
levels in houses, by ensuring the safety of children in schools, and by 
encouraging businesses to form partnerships with foster care, we take 
small, but significant, steps toward guaranteeing the well-being of our 
children and the security our Nation's future. I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1332.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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