National Foster Care Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate May as National Foster Care Month and welcome many of the foster care youth who are visiting the House of Representatives today.

This year's theme is ``Get to Know the Many Faces of Foster Care.'' The goal of this special month is to celebrate the experiences of the more than 400,000 youth in the child welfare system and raise awareness about their needs.

Mr. 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.

Today I have the honor of being shadowed for the day by Nyeelah Innis of Newnan, Georgia. Nyeelah has been in foster care for 8 years, with her first foster care setting starting when she was 10 years old. Mr. Speaker, in just these few hours, Nyeelah has impressed me with her positive attitude and eagerness to learn about the legislative branch of our Federal Government. I know for certain that this young lady has a very bright future ahead, like so many other youth whom we will see through the Halls of Congress today.

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