[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17133]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE FOSTER YOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2012

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my good friend 
and colleague, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) in sponsoring the Foster Youth 
Higher Education Opportunities Act.
  This bipartisan proposal is simple and straightforward. The Foster 
Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act directs the U.S. Department of 
Education to ensure that foster care youth know about specific programs 
and benefits for which they are eligible. The bill will also require 
that the Department highlights specific federal education initiatives 
for foster youth on their website.
  As a Member of the Ways and Means Human Resource Subcommittee, I 
listened to testimony from countless former foster care youth in our 
hearings. Witnesses over the years included two of my constituents--
Anthony Reeves and Shalita O'Neale; both young people ``aged-out'' of 
Georgia's foster care system, and fought hard to beat the odds and 
become successful adults.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a long, hard road. The transition from foster 
care to adulthood and independence is very difficult, and there are 
countless obstacles facing them. It breaks your heart to listen to 
their stories about how hard it is to find housing, health care, 
education, livable wage jobs, security, and stability.
  The Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act is a small bill, 
but it is an important one. Every Member of Congress knows that 
education is the key. This basic, common-sense bill helps to tear down 
just one of those barriers.
  I hope all of my colleagues will join me in support of this goodwill 
effort.

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