Jeff Duncan: “I will simply close by saying that I would also like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) and the…”

“I will simply close by saying that I would also like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert). The scope or magnitude of this problem is simply staggering. The gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) mentioned that there are 1.3 million children on the streets, either because of running away or because of homelessness. Probably the most conservative study I have seen on this says there are a minimum of 450,000 children who run away from homes all across this Nation each year. As I mentioned in my opening statement, I was so amazed when I heard, as I was driving to the airport one afternoon here in Washington, I heard on the CBS National Radio News that the national head of the YMCA said children are being neglected in this country today like never before. Unfortunately, children have more material wealth today than probably ever before, but there are also many, many, many children who are growing up without the love or discipline that they had in past years or, perhaps because of broken homes or parents working long hours, they are not getting the attention that they need and deserve. I have said before that children today would be far better off with a few less toys and designer fashions and another brother or sister, or certainly more attention from their parents.”