Barbara Kennelly: “Mr. Chairman, every day in America 3 children, 3 innocent, precious children, die from abuse or neglect, and every day…”

“Mr. Chairman, every day in America 3 children, 3 innocent, precious children, die from abuse or neglect, and every day in America 500,000 children wait in foster care for a permanent home. These statistics say to us we certainly are not doing the best that we can do by our children. Today I do not suggest that the legislation before us will eliminate child abuse for every child, though I wish I could say that, or guarantee a permanent home for every child in foster care. It will not. But I do believe this legislation represents a significant step forward in providing protection and permanency for our Nation's abused and all too often forgotten children. I also believe the bill represents what bipartisan cooperation can accomplish. The tension between the rights of parents and the needs of children will be a perennial debate when we talk about child welfare.”