[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 5971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
month of May as National Foster Care Month across our Nation. In fact, 
I was proud to sign on this week to the legislation creating this 
distinction.
  National Foster Care Month was established more than 25 years ago to 
bring foster care issues to the forefront, highlighting the importance 
of permanency for every child and recognizing the essential role that 
foster parents, advocates, and social workers play in the lives of 
children in foster care across the country.
  With nearly 415,000 children in foster care across America, it is 
safe to say that we all know a child in foster care. Furthermore, I 
want to recognize the families who have selflessly decided to open 
their homes to these boys and girls, providing good homes at a very 
challenging time for these young people.
  Madam Speaker, the foster care system has and always will hold a 
special place in my heart. When I was 11 years old, my family welcomed 
a foster care child, Bob, into our home. Bob, throughout the years, has 
taught me so much and will be my brother for life.

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