Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day

Floor Speech

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Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in celebration of 63 foster youth and 63 bipartisan Members of Congress who are participating in the fourth annual Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Shadow Day experience.

The goal of this event is to give foster youth the opportunity to share their unique experience with Members of Congress, as well as gain intimate insight into the legislative process.

Far too often, we legislate from a glass tower, far removed from the people and places that our laws affect. Shadow Day was created to address this very issue, empowering foster youth from across the country to come to our Nation's Capital and share their stories, while giving Members of Congress the opportunity to learn from the very young people whose lives we genuinely want to improve.

Shadowing me today is Briana, a beautiful young woman from my hometown of Los Angeles. Briana became an open case of the department of child and family services at the age of 15 due to abuse by her father. Multiple placements, neglect, and instability defined her foster care experience.

As she pursues her bachelor's degree in accounting at Dillard University in New Orleans, Briana strives to voice the real concerns of foster youth and give strength to her foster peers by moving towards change. Briana's ultimate goal is to become a foster care advocate, encouraging other youth like her to stand up for themselves in the child welfare system.

I look forward to hearing more about Briana's experience and listening to her legislative recommendations. Thank you, Briana, for your resiliency and your commitment to reforming the child welfare system.

In honor of Briana and the other 62 foster youth here on the Hill, I invite my colleagues to join the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth.

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