    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 13, 1999]
    [Page 763]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 763]]

    Statement on Proposed Legislation To Assist Young People Leaving the
    Foster Care System
    May 13, 1999

        Hillary and I are pleased that Representatives Nancy
    Johnson and Ben Cardin today introduced important legislation to assist the
    approximately 20,000 young people who leave our Nation's foster care
    system each year at age 18 without an adoptive family or other permanent
    family relationship. Today, Federal financial support for these young
    people ends just as they are making the critical transition to
    independence. Without the emotional, social, and financial support that
    families provide, many of these youth are not adequately prepared for
    life on their own.
        I believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that these young
    people have the tools they need to make the most of their lives. That is
    why my budget request includes significant new investments to provide
    them with access to health care and help them to earn a high school
    diploma, further their education or vocational training, and learn daily
    living skills such as budgeting, career planning, and securing housing
    and employment. Today, Representatives Johnson and Cardin have moved this
    issue forward. I am committed to working with them and other Members of
    Congress in the months ahead to enact meaningful and fiscally
    responsible legislation to enable these young people to live up to their
    God-given potential.