Elected Officials Support National Adoption Day
Bipartisan support helps raise awareness of children in foster care waiting to be adopted
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Elected officials from across the country have put politics aside to express their support for National Adoption Day on Saturday, Nov. 20. Over 350 events will take place across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. to finalize over 4,500 adoptions from foster care and raise awareness of the 114,000 children still waiting to find families through adoption. This year marks the 11th anniversary of National Adoption Day, and to date, more than 30,000 children have been adopted through these efforts.
President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. For the first time this year, every governor is also expected to issue these proclamations, along with numerous mayors from major cities across the country. Proclamations can be viewed at www.nationaladoptionday.org. Both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives are expected to pass resolutions expressing their support for National Adoption Day and the goal to see children in foster care adopted into loving and safe families.
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), founding member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and child welfare advocate, said, "There is nothing more important for a child than to be raised in a supporting and loving family. A family is where children are taught values that serve as the foundation of lifelong decisions, where they gain a sense of belonging and find confidence in themselves. For more than a decade, tireless judges, attorneys, child advocates and hundreds of volunteers around the country dedicate National Adoption Day to changing lives. They are giving these children a permanent place to call home."
"Thousands of children are adopted on this day every year. And the day draws attention to the many other children who are waiting for a permanent family," said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), founder and co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. "Adoption not only brings these children the immediate benefits of a loving family, but it also gives them a greater chance at educational opportunities and future success than if they age out of foster care without a permanent connection. I appreciate the work of advocates, adoptive parents and young people whose commitment brings families together."
A number of elected officials support National Adoption Day, including; Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.).
To read the complete release, visit: http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/media-center/news/2010-11-17/elected-officials-support-national-adoption-day.
About the National Adoption Day Coalition
National Adoption Day is sponsored by a coalition dedicated to improving the lives of children, including The Alliance for Children's Rights, The Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Freddie Mac Foundation. For more information about the events taking place across the United States and information on National Adoption Day, please visit www.nationaladoptionday.org.
SOURCE National Adoption Day Coalition
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