Supporting Efforts to Promote Greater Awareness of Effective Runaway Youth Prevention Programs

SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS OF EFFECTIVE RUNAWAY YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMS -- (House of Representatives - October 25, 2005)

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to first of all thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me time. I also want to commend my colleague from Nevada for bringing this important matter before us today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a strong supporter of H. Res. 484. Studies indicate that a staggering between 1.8 and 2.6 million children live on the streets of our country each and every year. This legislation in a way honors the individuals and organizations who work so hard to reach out to our young people that are in some of the most desperate of situations.

As we can all imagine, the situation on the streets for these young people is desperate and incredibly rough. Half of the HIV cases in the United States are in the youth population. Homeless and runaway youth are two to 10 times higher than the nonhomeless teens who have HIV, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 94 percent of homeless youth are sexually active. We, unfortunately, cannot make street life disappear or even reach a level of utopia; but we can ensure that there are services available to help with the daily lives of these young people, whether it is trying to find a bed, a warm meal, or some safe, genuine companionship.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation. In a large urban district like mine where there are thousands of impoverished young people living in less than desirable home situations, we know that they need help. And I commend some of the many organizations like the Night Ministry, Tabitha House, Hope House, the House of Daniel, Clare's House, Mother's House, and all of the other programs that are designed to assist young people as they go through this stage of their lives.

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