[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

  (Ms. BASS of California asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. BASS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as 
National Foster Care Month. The goal of this special month is to raise 
awareness about the experiences and needs of more than 400,000 youth in 
the foster care system.
  The Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth asked young people around 
the country to tell us their experiences via our Web site, 
Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth. Throughout the month, you will 
hear both Democrats and Republicans sharing these stories.
  For example, Renee, a young woman from Los Angeles, was in foster 
care for over 8 years. She was placed in six different homes until she 
aged out of the system in June 2008. She currently attends UCLA and 
hopes to pursue a career in social work or community health.
  Renee says:

       Being in foster care has played an integral role in shaping 
     and developing my character and the person I am today. My 
     experience with the foster care system has exposed me to 
     speaking up, communicating with adults, and being open with 
     my peers about my situation, not ashamed of who I am.

  In honor of Renee's courage and tenacity, I invite my colleagues to 
join the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and cosponsor the 
bipartisan resolution in recognition of National Foster Care Month and 
to wear the blue ribbon.

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