S*1241 Concurrent Resolution, By Alexander
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE THOUSANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOSTER
 FAMILIES DURING MAY, "NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH", AND TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND
 GRATITUDE AND DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL
 ASSEMBLY TO THESE FAMILIES FOR PROVIDING LOVING HOMES AND NURTURING CARE AND
 FOR THEIR SELFLESS COMMITMENT TO BETTERING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN NEED.

   05/13/04  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-3
   05/18/04  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-16

TO HONOR THE THOUSANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOSTER FAMILIES DURING MAY, "NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH", AND TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND GRATITUDE AND DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THESE FAMILIES FOR PROVIDING LOVING HOMES AND NURTURING CARE AND FOR THEIR SELFLESS COMMITMENT TO BETTERING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN NEED.

Whereas, children who are loved and nurtured provide a strong foundation for our future; and

Whereas, foster parents who care for abused and neglected children are the frontline of protection and the primary environment for the healing of foster children; and

Whereas, currently in this State there are 2,124 foster families providing steadfast love and support for the 4,934 children being cared for in foster care; and

Whereas, foster families are the unsung heroes of our child welfare system for their willingness to embrace children who have no homes and for the patience, compassion, and strength that they demonstrate in the daily ministry of     raising a child born into abuse and neglect; and

Whereas, May is National Foster Care Month and South Carolina can be especially proud of the foster families in this State, in that the South Carolina Foster Parent Association was selected as the Foster Parent Association of 2003 by the National Foster Parent Association; and

Whereas, it is proper and fitting for the members of the General Assembly to pause in their deliberations to honor all foster parents in South Carolina throughout this month and throughout the year for their extraordinary contributions to the youngest and most vulnerable of our State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, honor the thousands of South Carolina foster families during May, "National Foster Care Month", and express profound gratitude and deep appreciation to these families for providing loving homes and nurturing care and for their selfless commitment to bettering the lives of children in need.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Foster Parent Association.