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Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join President Obama in recognizing May as National Foster Care Month.
The goal of this special month is to raise awareness about the experiences of more than 400,000 youth in the foster care system and to recognize the essential work that foster parents, social workers, and advocates have in the lives of children in foster care throughout the United States.
Foster care was created as a temporary placement for children who have been abused or neglected. The act of removing a child, even from an abusive home, is traumatic; yet, even in the face of these challenges, the resiliency of foster youth remains strong.
For example, Maurissa, a young woman who spent most of her high school years in a residential facility in Los Angeles, was able to graduate high school with honors and go on to Oxnard College. It took Maurissa almost 10 years to complete community college. She explains: ``I was living on my own and working a minimum of 40 hours per week, and I had to take algebra nine times to pass.''
Maurissa struggled to get past her experiences but was able to find someone who believed in her. Dr. Adam Grudberg, a faculty member at the residential facility, encouraged her to reach her dreams.
When Dr. Grudberg died at the young age of 30, Maurissa knew she couldn't let him down. She went on to graduate from California State University with her undergraduate degree in psychology and then on to Harvard Graduate School of Education to receive her master's degree in human development and psychology.
In honor of Maurissa's courage and Dr. Grudberg's inspiration, I invite my colleagues to join the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and cosponsor the bipartisan resolution in recognition of National Foster Care Month.
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