Resolutions Concerning Children and Families Approved by the Senate, House

National Internet Safety Month

On May 16, the Senate approved a resolution (S. Res. 205), by unanimous consent, designating June 2007 as “National Internet Safety Month.”

Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

approximately 80 percent of the children of the United States in grades five through 12 are online for at least one hour per week;
approximately 41 percent of students in grades five through 12 do not share with their parents what they do on the Internet;
approximately 24 percent of students in grades five through 12 have hidden their online activities from their parents;
approximately 31 percent of the students in grades five through 12 feel that they have the skills to bypass protections offered by the installation of filtering software;
approximately 61 percent of youth admit to using the Internet unsafely or inappropriately;
20 percent of middle school and high school students have met face-to-face with someone they first met online; and
47 percent of parents feel that their ability to monitor and shelter their children from inappropriate material on the Internet is limited.The resolution calls on Internet safety groups, law enforcement, educators, parents, and volunteers to expand their efforts to ensure online safety.
Sen. Murkowski said, “The Internet has become one of the most significant advances in the twentieth century and, as a result, it affects people’s lives in a positive manner each day. However, this technology presents dangers that need to be brought to the attention of all Americans. Consider the pervasiveness of Internet access by children and the rapid increase in Internet crime and predatory behavior. Never before have powerful educational solutions such as Internet safety for grades kindergarten through 12 been more critical and readily at hand…It is imperative that all Americans learn about the Internet safety strategies which will help keep their children safe from victimization.” She concluded, “Now is the time for America to focus its attention on supporting Internet safety, especially bearing in mind that children will soon be on summer vacation and will spend more time online.”

National Children and Families Day

On May 16, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, a resolution (H. Con. Res. 62) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day. The House passed the resolution on March 6 (see The Source, 3/9/07).

National Foster Care Month

On May 15, the House passed, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Res. 263) recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to improve foster care systems nationwide.

Sponsored by Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), H. Res. 263 contains several findings, including:
National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to recognize the important role that the foster care system plays in the lives of the more than 500,000 children currently in foster care programs throughout the United States;
children in foster care programs for longer periods of time often experience worse outcomes than children in foster care programs for shorter periods of time;
children in foster care programs are more likely than the general population to become teen parents, to rely on public assistance as adults, to become homeless, and to experience mental health disorders at a higher rate; and
there are 119,000 children eligible for adoption every year and less than half of the children in foster care programs actually [are] adopted.Rep. Cardoza said, “I speak passionately about foster children because I have a very personal interest in this issue. Seven years ago, I adopted two foster children. In fact…I am doing this resolution because they asked me to do it today…The need is tremendous and the statistics are sobering. It is estimated that there are 800,000 children in foster care at some point during any given year…Too many children in foster care sit waiting for permanent families. There are about 118,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted, and numerous barriers keep them in limbo. Children often bounce from one system to another, from child welfare to juvenile justice to mental health as their needs intensify. Each year, about 20,000 children age out of the foster care system without ever being adopted, placed with grandparents or any other supportive adult…This is a big problem that will require bold solutions. In order to save the next generation of children, we must rededicate ourselves to their welfare and to pledge to do whatever is necessary to nurture and protect them.”
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL) said, “It is right to celebrate the efforts of foster parents who step in to keep children safe. In addition to these individuals, thousands of local organizations, with both public and private sector employees and volunteers, are also active in foster care…The organizations and dedicated individuals, supported by private donations and over $23 billion in taxpayer funds each year, help children and families lead safe and productive lives. Today we thank each of them and all of them for their efforts and dedication. Yet, despite such dedicated efforts, we also know a lot more work is needed to ensure that all children are adequately protected from abuse and neglect…In 2006, Congress took some modest steps in the right direction by targeting more funds for child abuse prevention and holding states more accountable for results. So there is increasing recognition of the steps needed to turn this program around. In the meantime, we certainly will need the continuing involvement and support of tens of thousands foster parents. We owe them, and especially the children they protect each and every day, our continued full support.”