[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13423]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in proud support of 
H. Res. 931, a resolution recognizing National Foster Care Month. I 
thank my friend and colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Chairman 
McDermott, for sponsoring this important resolution.
  During National Foster Care Month, we pay tribute to the half million 
children presently in the child welfare system and the many others in 
the network--mentors, volunteers, friends, extended families, and 
organizations who fill in the gaps in Federal and State coverage to 
help these young people find their way.
  In Georgia, there are thousands of children living in foster care. 
These young people--of all race, ages, and backgrounds--were victims of 
neglect and abuse. Madam Speaker, as parents we know that children 
require stability and permanency to thrive. Love and security help the 
development of healthy and confident young adults. Sadly, due to 
circumstances beyond their control, foster children are uprooted from 
their homes and represent the one of largest constituencies of 
displaced people in the United States. In fact, numerous studies show 
the increased difficulties foster children must overcome, especially 
the lack of support for foster care youth as they transition to 
adulthood and independence.
  Child welfare services have a shared goal to find safe, stable, and 
loving homes for these young people. Unfortunately, this dream is not 
always realized. Last year, Congress passed and the President signed 
the Fostering Connections to Success Act. This legislation was an 
important step in improving the nation's child welfare system, but more 
can be done. I look forward to continuing to work with my friends and 
colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Income 
Security and Family Support to improve the experiences of those young 
people living in and preparing to exit foster care.
  Madam Speaker, each and every young person has a right to a 
childhood. During National Foster Care Month, I hope that communities 
around the country really come together and think of ways to improve 
the lives of young people in the child welfare system.

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