Hilda L. Solis: “I stand here as a new member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. My heart is full, because I realize that…”

“I stand here as a new member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. My heart is full, because I realize that this is such an important issue that needs to be addressed. In my district alone, in Los Angeles County, I represent the East Lake detention facility. I had the opportunity of visiting that facility a couple of months ago and realized that a good number of the children, youngsters, that are there represented my district. I felt compelled that we need to do something immediately to help them, prevent them from furthering a life of crime and hopefully deterring them into a better life-style. But I found that many of the young people, particular Latinos that I found there from my district, were experiencing some different kinds of hardships. Many of them at the age of 13 and 14 were already finding themselves as mothers. They were pregnant. I found that the treatment and medical attention that they needed to be prioritized. I asked the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and other Members if they would please include an amendment in this bill to help address prenatal assistance in assessing these young women's needs. They adopted that. I also wanted to thank them for including another provision, suicide prevention.”