October 28, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H12001 killed on September 11, 2001, it’s equal- SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND ilies at www.adoptuskids.org, and in Spanish ly important for us to remember the IDEALS OF NATIONAL at www.adopte1.org; hundreds that got to live because those DAY AND NATIONAL ADOPTION Whereas National Adoption Day is a collec- first responders ran into those burning MONTH tive national effort to find permanent, loving for children in the sys- buildings and saved other people. Of Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I tem; those responders, there were 37 Port move to suspend the rules and agree to Whereas, since the first National Adoption Authority officers killed, there were 23 the resolution (H. Res. 831) supporting Day in 2000, 25,000 children have joined for- New York City police officers, and the goals and ideals of National Adop- ever families during National Adoption Day; there were 343 firefighters, including 41 tion Day and National Adoption Month Whereas in 2008, were finalized of those who were emergency medical by promoting national awareness of for over 4,600 children through more than 325 National Adoption Day events in all 50 technicians. They gave their lives so adoption and the children in foster care that others could live. States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto awaiting families, celebrating children Rico; That is what they do; that is what and families involved in adoption, rec- Whereas National Adoption Month cele- firefighters do. When they hear the ognizing current programs and efforts brates the gift of adoption, recognizing the alarm, they know they are going to designed to promote adoption, and en- adoptive and foster families who share their danger, but because they are a special couraging people in the United States hearts and homes with children in need, and breed, a rare breed, they do that. They to seek improved safety, permanency, raises awareness of the need for families for do that because their community and and well-being for all children. the many waiting children, particularly older children and teens, children of color, the people are important. And they The Clerk read the title of the resolu- members of groups, and children with rush into that fire, whether it’s a home tion. physical and emotional challenges; and that’s burning in Houston, Texas, or The text of the resolution is as fol- Whereas November 2009 is National Adop- whether it’s an attack on America in lows: tion Month, and November 21, 2009, is Na- New York City. So we honor them by H. RES. 831 tional Adoption Day, and activities and in- passing this resolution to give them a Whereas there are nearly 500,000 children formation about both are available at special memorial day. in the foster care system in the United www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam/activi- States, approximately 130,000 of whom are ties.cfm: Now, therefore, be it Every year in October, we recognize waiting for families to adopt them; Resolved, That the House of Representa- the sacrifice and the commitment that Whereas nearly 54 percent of the children tives— these firefighters do for this country in foster care are age 10 or younger; (1) supports the goals and ideals of Na- and for the people of this Nation. Whereas the average length of time a tional Adoption Day and National Adoption Month; And that’s just the way it is. spends in foster care is more than 2 years; Whereas, for many foster children, the (2) recognizes that every child in foster I yield back the balance of my time. wait for a permanent, adoptive, ‘‘forever’’ care deserves a permanent and loving ; (3) recognizes the significant commitment Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, family in which they are loved, nurtured, comforted, and protected seems endless; of taxpayers to support adoption, including I want to thank the gentleman for of- the $1,900,000,000 provided to support adop- fering this resolution. I want to thank Whereas the number of youth who ‘‘age out’’ of the foster care system by reaching tion through the Title IV–E Adoption Assist- him for his kind words and eloquent adulthood without being placed in a perma- ance program, as well as the assistance pro- words on behalf of our firefighters. I nent home has increased by more than 60 vided through the Title IV–E Foster Care offer my own condolences to the fami- percent since 1998, as nearly 28,000 foster program to 130,000 children waiting for adop- lies of Houston—the Harlow, Burke, youth ‘‘aged out’’ of foster care during 2007; tive families, among other important pro- Kulow, Jahnke, Mayo and Smith fami- Whereas every day loving and nurturing grams; and (4) encourages the citizens of the United lies—as well as in my own State, the families are strengthened and expanded when committed and dedicated individuals make States to consider adoption of children in Roberts family and Beverly and Kevin foster care who are waiting for a permanent, Kelley’s family out of Local 718 in Bos- an important difference in the life of a child through adoption; loving family. ton because their loss has been so re- Whereas, while 3 in 10 people in the United The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- cent and heartfelt. States have considered adoption, a majority ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- I want to also mention BILL of them have misconceptions about the proc- linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentle- PASCRELL of New Jersey, who on our ess of adopting children from foster care and woman from Florida (Ms. GINNY side is a true champion of the cause of the children who are eligible for adoption; BROWN-WAITE) each will control 20 firefighters for all the reasons that the Whereas 71 percent of those who have con- minutes. sidered adoption consider adopting children gentleman has articulated. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from foster care above other forms of adop- from Illinois. I thank the gentleman. And I ask all tion; Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I our colleagues on both sides of the Whereas 45 percent of people in the United yield myself such time as I might con- aisle to support this resolution hon- States believe that children enter the foster care system because of juvenile delinquency, sume. oring American firefighters by passing Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support House Resolution 729. when in reality the vast majority of children in the foster care system were victims of ne- of H. Res. 831, a resolution supporting Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance glect, abandonment, or abuse; the goals and ideals of National Adop- of my time. Whereas 46 percent of people in the United tion Day and National Adoption The SPEAKER pro tempore. The States believe that foster care adoption is Month. expensive, when in reality there is no sub- I am pleased to have worked with question is on the motion offered by stantial cost for adopting from foster care, the gentleman from Massachusetts Congresswoman BROWN-WAITE, Con- and financial support in the form of an adop- gressman TIBERI, and Congressman (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend tion assistance subsidy is available to adop- the rules and agree to the resolution, MCDERMOTT on this legislation. tive families of eligible children adopted On any given day, there are over a H. Res. 729. from foster care and continues after the half million children in our Nation’s The question was taken. adoption is finalized until the child is 18, so that income will not be a barrier to becom- foster care system, of which nearly The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the ing a to a foster child who needs to 130,000 are waiting for a permanent opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being belong to a family; home through adoption. While 51,000 in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Whereas significant tax credits are avail- children found a family to call their able to families who adopt children with spe- own last year through adoption, far too Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on cial needs; that I demand the yeas and nays. many children in the foster care sys- Whereas the Department of Health and tem remain waiting for some level of The yeas and nays were ordered. Human Services, Administration for Chil- permanency. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- dren and Families, in a partnership with the Ad Council, supports a national recruitment Adoption provides children who are ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the campaign for adoptive ; unable to return to their biological Chair’s prior announcement, further Whereas the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids homes with the opportunity to be proceedings on this motion will be features a photolisting Website for waiting raised in a safe and loving home, pro- postponed. foster children and prospective adoptive fam- viding them a level of stability that

VerDate Nov 24 2008 05:09 Jan 16, 2010 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD09\RECFILES\H28OC9.REC H28OC9 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE H12002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 28, 2009 generally cannot be found in foster sional district has the highest percent- Day so effective and so very important care. age of children living with in the lives of the Nation’s nearly Adoption is an important option for caregivers in the Nation, followed by 500,000 foster children. Since the tradi- many children in the foster care sys- the First Congressional District of Illi- tion began in the year 2000, over 25,000 tem. It allows children to be raised as nois with the second highest percent- children have joined families on this a member of a new family, a family age, and the Second District with the very important day. that will provide the love, security and 10th highest percentage in the Nation. As someone who gave birth to two support that every child deserves. I am proud that the fostering connec- children—and I also adopted an older, The Fostering Connections to Suc- tions law worked to increase adoption hard-to-place child—I know what hav- cess and Increasing Adoptions Act sup- and other avenues to permanency such ing a family means to so many chil- ported adoption as an important path- as kinship guardianship to help chil- dren, and in particular to older chil- way to permanency. This historic law dren find the permanent, safe homes dren. My oldest , following in also recognized the need to support they deserve. her mom’s footsteps, she and her hus- multiple avenues to permanency, given Despite the reforms that we have band 1 year ago adopted a baby at that adoption may not be the best op- achieved in this legislation, more work birth. So whether it’s at birth or when tion for all children and families. needs to be done to improve the experi- the child is older, it is a wonderful, I have worked with Representative ences of all children and all families in wonderful experience for any family. I JIM MCDERMOTT and my colleague from the system and to end racial disparities am happy to report that little Joey Illinois, former Representative Jerry that continue to persist. just celebrated his first birthday. Weller, to include language in the fos- This spring, I joined with Represent- b 1230 tering connections law to provide addi- ative JIM MCDERMOTT and TODD tional opportunities to children in fos- PLATTS to introduce legislation that Although we don’t often consider it, ter care via kinship guardianship. Kin- would provide Federal funding to sup- each year thousands of children also ship guardianship gives a child a per- port evidence-based early childhood age out of the foster care system. Each manent home with their home visitation programs. These pro- year they grow older, it becomes hard- or other relative, providing the same grams provide important home-based er and harder to place them with for- level of love, security and support that instruction and services to pregnant ever families. In so many cases, adop- an adoption home provides but without and families with preschool- tion is the key to breaking the cycle of the termination of parental rights. age children that help to improve the abuse for children who would otherwise An evaluation of Illinois’ subsidized health and educational outcomes of languish in dangerous homes. guardianship waiver found that chil- children and their parents. Perhaps it goes without saying how dren in kinship guardianship fair as A growing body of evidence has found important it is for children to grow up well as those in other permanency set- that early childhood home visitation in loving and supportive families; yet, tings on measures of well-being, in- programs serve as an effective child with thousands and thousands of chil- cluding school performance, engage- abuse prevention strategy, reducing dren still being denied this most funda- ment in risky behaviors, and access to the incidence of child abuse and ne- mental opportunity, Congress must do community resources. glect by nearly 40 percent. Home vis- all that it can to support their efforts A recent GAO report identified kin- iting also produces significant health to find a home for these children. ship guardianship as a key Federal pol- benefits to children and their families, As such, the Federal Government has icy to decrease the overrepresentation such as improved child health, child rightly stepped in to relieve the finan- of African American children in our development, parenting skills, and cial burden on adoptive families and, in Nation’s child welfare system. African school readiness. doing so, has made adoption more af- American children enter foster care at I am pleased that it was included as fordable to people of all income levels. higher rates and remain in foster care part of the health care reform proposal But much still remains to be done. The for longer periods of time when com- that was reported out of the Ways and resolution that we are considering pared to children from other racial or Means Committee. A similar proposal today is an important affirmation and ethnic groups. was included in the health proposal reaffirmation of our commitment to Indeed, African American children that was reported out of the Senate Fi- improving the lives of foster children make up nearly one-third of the chil- nance Committee earlier this month. everywhere. dren waiting for adoption in this coun- I look forward to continuing to work I thank my colleagues on both sides try. There are a variety of reasons why with my colleagues to improve our Na- of the aisle for their support and atten- these children remain in the system tion’s foster care system through adop- tion to this matter. If you don’t think longer, with one reason being that tion, guardianship, home visitation that taking a child into your home and adoption is not equally availed by fam- programs, and other important initia- loving that child makes a real dif- ilies from different races and tives. ference, let me tell you something that ethnicities, especially among African I ask my colleagues to join me in my adopted daughter just told me this American and Native American com- supporting the ideals and goals of Na- week. Now, remember, she was in a munities. Research shows that allow- tional Adoption Day and National very, very poor situation as she was ing a child to achieve permanency with Adoption Month by voting in favor of growing up. She told me that she met a relative enhances their development H. Res. 831. a man who epitomizes what her dad and long-term well-being by maintain- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of represented. Her dad was my deceased ing their cultural identity and sense of my time. , Harvey Waite. So she learned family belonging, which, understand- Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Flor- what a true family man really was ably, is particularly important for Af- ida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such through our adoption. rican American and Native American time as I may consume. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge adop- children. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support tion of this resolution, and I reserve I personally know the value of kin- of House Resolution 831, recognizing the balance of my time. ship guardianship because Illinois has the goals and ideals of National Adop- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to been a leader in developing and dem- tion Day and Month. thank Representative BROWN-WAITE for onstrating the effectiveness of pio- As you know, November 21 will mark her introduction of this legislation and neering child welfare reforms such as this year’s annual National Adoption also for her remarks. kinship guardianship and extension of Day celebration. All across the country It’s my pleasure now to yield such foster care to age 21, also included in communities will gather together to time as he might consume to the chair- the fostering connections legislation. celebrate the adoptions that have been man of the Income Security and Fam- In addition to seeing the positive ef- finalized this year and those that we ily Support Subcommittee, the gen- fects of kinship caregiving Statewide, I hope to finalize in the following year. tleman from Washington, Representa- have seen the importance of kinship It is this spirit of community and tive JIM MCDERMOTT, one of the real guardianship in Chicago. My congres- family that makes National Adoption champions of child welfare in this

VerDate Nov 24 2008 05:09 Jan 16, 2010 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00132 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD09\RECFILES\H28OC9.REC H28OC9 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE October 28, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H12003 country and one who knows exactly to begin with. Today, we provide some There was no objection. what is needed to make sure that chil- or more financial assistance to States Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. To close, Mr. dren have safe and comfortable envi- to remove children from homes and Speaker, let me just commend Rep- ronments in which to live. place them in care than we do in pro- resentative BROWN-WAITE, Chairman (Mr. MCDERMOTT asked and was viding support to children in at-risk MCDERMOTT, Mr. TIBERI, and all those given permission to revise and extend homes where they are living in their who have worked on bringing this leg- his remarks.) homes. islation to the floor. Our children are, Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I At this time last week, I delivered re- indeed, the future, and it’s our respon- want to begin by acknowledging my marks in front of a group of current sibility to provide every opportunity colleagues, the gentleman from Illinois and former foster youth, and the topic that we possibly can for them. I think (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentlewoman from of discussion was: How can we better this legislation and this resolution all Florida (Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE) for address the stresses of crises in the combine to help make America a bet- bringing this resolution to the floor. home that bring families to the door of ter place for children, so I would ask This is an issue that deserves our the system in the first place? The point that all Members support it. unanimous support, and I’m sure it will I heard over and over again from these Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have it. H. Res. 831 really expresses the young adults was, My parents weren’t rise today in support of H. Res. 831, a resolu- ideals and the goals of National Adop- bad people. They just needed some tion that recognizes the successes of federal tion Day and National Adoption extra help and guidance to keep our efforts to encourage adoption, and honors Na- Month. Every child deserves to be family together. tional Adoption Day and Month. raised in a home that is safe, loving Keeping children safely with their bi- As an avid adoption supporter, I believe that and is permanent. Unfortunately, this ological parents is almost always in Congress must continue to promote the adop- basic principle is not a reality for the the child’s best interest. In an effort to tion of children into safe and loving homes. 129,000 children who are currently in move us in that direction, I have intro- Through our work in 1997 as part of the Adop- our Nation’s foster care system waiting duced bipartisan legislation with Rep- tion and Safe Families Act, and more recently for a permanent home to call their resentative DANNY DAVIS and TODD through the Fostering Connections to Success own. PLATTS to provide States with manda- and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Con- Last year, the Congress passed bipar- tory grant funding to support an evi- gress has made significant advances in pro- tisan, bicameral legislation that dra- dence-based voluntary home visitation viding more options for children in need. matically reformed our Nation’s foster program. Yet, far too many children, nearly 130,000, care and adoption program. The Fos- The President took Representative are waiting in foster care programs throughout tering Connections to Success and In- DAVIS’ idea and put it in his budget. We our country for families to adopt them. These creasing Adoptions Act was designed to put it in H.R. 3200, which is the health children should be given every opportunity to improve the outcomes of children’s care bill that is now about to be con- lead successful lives, and one way to make lives in the foster care system as well sidered in this body. that happen is to increase the adoption of as increase the number of children who The home visitation program pro- these children into safe, permanent, loving find permanency through placement vides services to pregnant women and homes. with a grandparent or other relative or families with preschool-aged children That is why National Adoption Day and through adoption. The new law helps that are designed to enhance the Month are so important. This year, National States provide greater financial assist- child’s health, well-being, and develop- Adoption Day will take place on November 21, ance to relative caregivers who choose ment. I am pleased that the proposal and is designed for communities around the to become the legal guardian of a fos- was introduced and that it made its country to highlight adoptions. Last year there ter child and also promotes the adop- way into the health care bill. We ex- were events in all 50 states during which the tion of children with special needs and pect it will pass out of here in a few adoptions of 4,000 children were finalized. improves the Adoption Incentive Pro- days. This year is especially important, as the Na- gram. I ask my colleagues to join me in tional Adoption Day is celebrating its 10-year While my colleagues and I were able supporting H. Res. 831 and to recommit anniversary. This is a significant achievement to accomplish a great deal last year in ourselves to working on legislation from its humble beginnings, when Los Angeles improving foster care and adoption that improves the lives of all children County Judge Michael Nash started ‘‘Adoption programs, our work is far from over. and families and improves our child Saturdays’’ to help facilitate the adoption of We must ensure that families are given welfare system. The 129,000 children foster children. the postadoption support they need who are awaiting a permanent family I have been honored to participate in Na- when they welcome an adopted child deserve nothing less from this Con- tional Adoption Day over the past several into their home. Any of us who have gress. years. To be part of such a special occasion raised a child know that it’s difficult Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Flor- reinforces the need for further efforts to move to do, but it is an immensely rewarding ida. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional kids into adoptive homes. endeavor, and when the Federal Gov- Members wishing to speak on this. I I would also like to highlight the efforts of ernment has an ability to encourage will just certainly agree with my col- the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Insti- these connections, we ought to do so. leagues that this is a very worthwhile tute to promote adoption through its annual There are a wealth of families inter- resolution and one that I hope Ameri- Angels in Adoption Awards Ceremony, held in ested in adopting a child out of foster cans who have room in their hearts and September. This event also highlights those care. A study last year showed that their homes to adopt someone will take that have opened their hearts and their there are 600,000 women in the United very, very seriously. Adoption is a long homes. States seeking to adopt. The majority process and one that should be taken This year, I was honored to nominate Sarah of these women said they would con- very seriously, but it’s one that has and Steve Rosinski, from Traverse City, Michi- sider adopting older youth, , or many, many rewards. gan, as Angels in Adoption. Steve and Sarah children with special needs. We can and I would encourage my colleagues to became foster parents when a young must do a better job of connecting vote in favor of this resolution. name Logan was placed in their home. Com- these would-be parents to kids growing I yield back the balance of my time. ing from a difficult family, Logan needed spe- up in foster care. GENERAL LEAVE cial attention and care. The Rosinskis gave It’s my hope that this bill and the Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I him the love and support he needed to thrive resolution connected to it will lead to ask unanimous consent that all Mem- and made him a permanent addition to their an overall increase in the awareness of bers may have 5 legislative days in family by adopting him in 2007. National Adoption Day and will help us which to revise and extend their re- They now are fostering a baby , also close the gap so that it is possible to marks and include extraneous material coming to them with early challenges—again, imagine a Nation where every child, in- on H. Res. 831. putting the child’s best interests first, they are deed, lives in a safe and secure home. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there working on a reunification plan with her family. We must also do a better job of keep- objection to the request of the gen- The Rosinksis have never asked for recogni- ing kids out of the foster care system tleman from Illinois? tion for what they have done, they have simply

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Communities’’ (CSC) initiative in partner- strongly believe that we have the ability and They deserve our thanks and admiration for ship with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the opportunity to help encourage adoption the tremendous commitment of love and devo- Office of Justice Programs, Department of and help those in the foster care system. That tion they show every day. Justice; is why it is so important to recognize the fami- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Whereas in its premiere year, 153 commu- lies who make extraordinary efforts to wel- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House nities in over 32 States and the District of come children into their family and highlight Resolution 831 to support the goals and ideals Columbia participated in ‘‘Celebrate Safe the importance of National Adoption Day and of National Adoption Day and National Adop- Communities’’; Month. tion Month. This resolution seeks to promote Whereas ‘‘Celebrate Safe Communities’’ Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I join my col- will take place the first week of October 2009 awareness of adoption and the foster care to help kickoff recognition of October as leagues today in support of this resolution system and remind all of us of the importance ‘‘Crime Prevention Month’’; supporting National Adoption Day and Month. that adoption plays in the lives of countless Whereas ‘‘Crime Prevention Month’’ was I join in recognizing all of the children in foster Americans across the country. established 25 years ago to encourage public care awaiting loving adoptive families as well Today there are nearly half a million chil- education on being alert to criminal activity as the many caring adults who have opened dren in foster care in the United States with within their communities; their hearts and homes to take in foster or roughly 130,000 waiting for families to adopt Whereas ‘‘Celebrate Safe Communities’’ is adopted children. them. The awareness and encouragement that designated to help local communities high- light the importance of law enforcement- During 2007 an estimated 783,000 children National Adoption Day and Month brings have were served by the foster care system, with community partnerships to keep commu- helped numerous children find loving families. nities safe places to live, learn, work, and 494,000 children in care at the end of the It is expected that 4,500 foster care children play; year, including 12,236 in my home State of will be adopted this year on National Adoption Whereas ‘‘Celebrate Safe Communities’’ Georgia. In 2006 across the U.S., 50,941 Day which takes place on November 21. will enhance the public awareness of vital adoptions were completed with public child Mr. Speaker, a loving family can have a life- crime prevention and safety messages and welfare agency involvement. Significantly, the long impact on a child, and it is important that motivate people in the United States of all rate of adoption from foster care has in- we acknowledge the sacrifices and celebrate ages to learn what they can do to stay safe creased from 5.5 percent in 1995 to 10 per- the importance that every party in the adoption from crime; cent in 2006. That improvement has been Whereas ‘‘Celebrate Safe Communities’’ process has. I encourage my colleagues to will help promote year-round support for lo- driven by specific policies—including the land- join me today in supporting House Resolution cally based and law enforcement-led commu- mark Adoption and Safe Families Act of 831 so that we can continue to recognize the nity safety initiatives that help keep fami- 1997—designed to increase the rate of adop- on-going efforts of America’s adoptive families lies, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses tion. and their adopted and . from crime; While that is welcome progress, there is Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield back Whereas the week of October 1, 2009, more work to be done. Congress took addi- the balance of my time. through October 3, 2009, would be an appro- tional steps last year with the passage of bi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The priate week to designate as ‘‘Celebrate Safe partisan legislation designed to promote more question is on the motion offered by Communities’’ Week; and Whereas the month of October is des- adoption, especially of children in foster care. the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. ignated as ‘‘Crime Prevention Month’’: Now, As that law, the Fostering Connections to Suc- DAVIS) that the House suspend the therefore, be it cess and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, is rules and agree to the resolution, H. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the implemented, I look forward to reviewing the Res. 831. Senate concurring), That Congress— continued progress we will hopefully be mak- The question was taken; and (two- (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Celebrate ing in improving the lives of children. When it thirds being in the affirmative) the Safe Communities’’ Week; comes to promoting more adoption instead of rules were suspended and the resolu- (2) supports ‘‘Crime Prevention Month’’; more foster care, we certainly have a solid tion was agreed to. (3) commends the efforts of the thousands track record to build on, and cause for opti- A motion to reconsider was laid on of local law enforcement agencies and their mism. the table. countless community partners educating and Beyond the legislation now in place, I call engaging residents of all ages in the fight f against crime; on Congress and the American people to con- CELEBRATE SAFE COMMUNITIES (4) asks communities across the country to tinue working to improve educational opportu- consider how ‘‘Celebrate Safe Communities’’ nities for foster youth, as for all youth. Foster WEEK AND CRIME PREVENTION MONTH can help them highlight local successes in youth face particularly high hurdles in grad- the fight against crime; uating from high school on time, or even at all. Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to (5) encourages the National Sheriffs’ Asso- The reasons are many, including the multiple suspend the rules and agree to the con- ciation and the National Crime Prevention home placements that often cause young peo- current resolution (H. Con. Res. 177) Council to continue to promote through ple in foster care to bounce not just from raising the awareness of the need for ‘‘Celebrate Safe Communities’’ and year- crime prevention in communities round, individual and collective action, in home to home but also from school to school. collaboration with law enforcement and Overcoming these challenges is a key goal of across the country and expressing sup- other supporting local agencies, to reduce last year’s legislation, and one that will take port for designation of October 1, 2009, crime and build safer communities through- the concerted efforts of many in the child wel- through October 3, 2009, as ‘‘Celebrate out the United States; and fare and education communities, in addition of Safe Communities’’ Week, and October (6) encourages government agencies, civic course to the dedication of young people and as ‘‘Crime Prevention Month’’. groups, schools, businesses, and youth orga- their foster and adoptive parents. Giving each The Clerk read the title of the con- nizations to educate the public, showcase young person a solid chance of success in life current resolution. their accomplishments, and explore new The text of the concurrent resolution partnerships during ‘‘Crime Prevention starts with ensuring each and every student Month’’. finishes at least high school and has the basic is as follows: skills to find and keep a stable, well-paying H. CON. RES. 177 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- job. Whereas communities across the country ant to the rule, the gentleman from I urge all Members to support this resolu- face localized increases in violence and other Tennessee (Mr. COHEN) and the gen- tion, and work with the many dedicated faith- crime; tleman from Texas (Mr. POE) each will based and other groups in their districts who Whereas local law enforcement-community control 20 minutes. promote adoption not only in November, but in partnerships are an effective tool for crime prevention and addressing the fear of crime; The Chair recognizes the gentleman every month of the year. We should all work Whereas the National Sheriffs’ Association from Tennessee. toward the day when every child will be in a (NSA) and the National Crime Prevention GENERAL LEAVE safe and loving permanent home, either with Council (NCPC) are leading national re- their own parents or, if they cannot adequately sources providing community safety and Mr. COHEN. I ask unanimous consent care for them, with loving adoptive parents. crime prevention tools tested and valued by that all Members have 5 legislative

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