Children

Congresswoman Jackson Lee strongly believes that our children are our nation’s greatest strength and resource. She has been a tireless advocate on their behalf in Congress. She is founder and Chair of the Congressional Children’s Caucus, a large, bipartisan forum for Members of Congress to address the daunting challenges that face our children today, including child health care, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, early childhood development, juvenile crime, poverty, hunger, child abuse, neglect, adoption and foster care.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee supports youth programs that visit the Capitol in order to hear their needs first hand. Programs such as Congressional Foster Youth Shadow day that brings foster youth alumni to Capitol Hill to get a behind the scenes look of the House of Representatives and opportunities to share their story as a child in the welfare system in order to influence policy around foster care.  Congresswoman Jackson Lee supports schools such as KIPP Sharp Prep of Houston that provides an environment of learning where children are encouraged to excel in school through rigorous academic and social character building programs. These youth are our future and Congresswoman Jackson Lee believes in investing in them early.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee is also concerned about children worldwide. She has introduced legislative initiatives to combat global hunger and malnutrition, both of which are extremely devastating for children. She is extremely concerned about the harsh suffering of refugee children, and has drawn particular attention to the plight of Darfur’s children.

In addition, The First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan advocacy organization, has recognized  Representative Jackson Lee as a “Champion for Children”, an award that recognizes the top 100 Members of Congress working to make children and families a national priority in federal policy and budget decisions.