III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 219 

Designating May 18, 2021, as ‘‘CASA/GAL Volunteers’ Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 18, 2021 

Mr. BROWN (for himself, Mr. YOUNG, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. BRAUN, Ms. SMITH, 

Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. 

ROSEN, Mr. TILLIS, and Mr. LANKFORD) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating May 18, 2021, as ‘‘CASA/GAL Volunteers’ 

Day’’. 

Whereas Court Appointed Special Advocate (referred to in 

this preamble as ‘‘CASA’’) and Guardian ad Litem (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘GAL’’) volunteers are 

trained and qualified to advocate nationwide for the best 

interests of children before courts in cases with allegations of abuse or neglect; 

Whereas more than 424,000 children in the United States 

enter the foster care system, through no fault of their 

own, due to allegations of abuse or neglect and rely on 

adults to advocate on their behalf; 


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•SRES 219 IS 

Whereas children of color are more likely to stay in the foster 

care system for longer periods of time and are less likely 

to be reunited with their biological families; 

Whereas CASA and GAL volunteers, appointed by a judge— 

(1) provide the court with the comprehensive and objective information the court needs to make the most 

well-informed decisions and help ensure positive outcomes 

for children and youth; and 

(2) take time to build meaningful and authentic relationships with such children and youth; 

Whereas CASA and GAL communities across the country remain committed to the recruitment and retention of volunteers who reflect the diversity of the children they 

serve; 

Whereas research shows that when a caring and consistent 

adult like a CASA or GAL volunteer is assigned to a 

case, outcomes are strengthened for children and families, a higher number of services are ordered, and children are significantly less likely to reenter the child welfare system, perform better academically and behaviorally, and have higher levels of hope; 

Whereas, in January 1974, Congress enacted the Child Abuse 

Prevention Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.); 

Whereas the Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act provides 

financial assistance to States for the prevention and 

treatment of child abuse and neglect and includes a requirement that in every case a GAL must be appointed 

to represent the best interest of the child; 

Whereas such GAL requirement was subsequently amended 

to provide that the GAL may be an attorney or a courtappointed special advocate; and 


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•SRES 219 IS 

Whereas, today, CASA and GAL volunteers span 49 States 

and the District of Columbia, including 948 State organizations and local programs, and more than 96,000 volunteers offer their services to nearly 277,000 children, 

youth, and families: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates May 18, 2021, as ‘‘National 

3 CASA/GAL Volunteers’ Day’’; and 

4 (2) commends and celebrates CASA and GAL 

5 volunteers for their dedication and hard work in ad6 vocating for the best interests of children so that 

7 every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can 

8 be safe, have a permanent home, and have the op9 portunity to thrive. 

Æ 


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