[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15593]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL KINSHIP CARE MONTH

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, last night, this body approved a resolution 
authored by Senator Wyden and myself designating September 2015 as 
National Kinship Care Month.
  While many may not be aware, there are approximately 2,700,000 
children living in kinship care around this country. That means 
millions of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives are 
looking after children in every urban, rural, and suburban county of 
the United States.
  These caregivers have stepped forward, often at great personal 
expense, out of love and loyalty to care for children during times in 
which biological parents are unable to do so. They provide safety, 
promote well-being, and establish stable homes and environments for 
extremely vulnerable children during very challenging circumstances.
  They serve in a time of upheaval and great change for these children, 
assisting them to recognize their self-worth and potential.
  Kinship care also enables the children to maintain family 
relationships and cultural heritage as they continue residence in the 
native community of the child.
  This resolution sends a clear message that the Senate is proud of and 
wishes to honor these everyday heroes, kinship caregivers, who 
throughout the history of the United States, have provided loving homes 
for parentless children.
  It is my hope that National Kinship Care Month can provide each of us 
with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the sacrifice and 
devotion of kinship caregivers. And while there is still a great deal 
of work we can do to ensure that all children have a safe, loving, 
nurturing, and permanent family, regardless of age or special needs, 
kinship care providers exhibit a template of care and sacrifice that 
should be provided for every child in this great country.
  I am very proud of this resolution and this acknowledgement, and I 
thank my colleagues for giving it their unanimous support.

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