[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65859-65860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26480]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 214 / Wednesday, November 5, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 65859]]


                Proclamation 9201 of October 31, 2014

                
National Adoption Month, 2014

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every year, adoptive parents welcome tens of thousands 
                of children and teenagers into supportive and loving 
                families. These mothers and fathers provide their sons 
                and daughters with the security and stability of a safe 
                environment and the opportunity to learn, grow, and 
                achieve their full potential. During National Adoption 
                Month, we honor those who have opened their hearts and 
                their homes, and we recommit to supporting all children 
                still in need of a place to call their own.

                Over the past decade, more than 500,000 children have 
                been adopted. However, there are still too many 
                children waiting to be part of an adoptive family. This 
                month--on the Saturday before Thanksgiving--we will 
                observe the 15th annual National Adoption Day, a 
                nationwide celebration that brings together 
                policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to finalize 
                thousands of adoptions and to raise awareness of those 
                still in need of permanent homes.

                To help ensure there is a permanent home for every 
                child, my Administration is investing in programs to 
                reduce the amount of time children in foster care wait 
                for adoption and to educate adoptive families about the 
                diverse needs of their children, helping ensure 
                stability and permanency. We are equipping State and 
                local adoption organizations with tools to provide 
                quality mental health services to children who need 
                them, and--because we know the importance of sibling 
                relationships--we are encouraging efforts to keep 
                brothers and sisters together. Additionally, last year 
                I was proud to permanently extend the Adoption Tax 
                Credit to provide relief to adoptive families. By 
                supporting policies that remove barriers to adoption, 
                we give hope to children across America. For all those 
                who yearn for the comfort of family, we must continue 
                our work to increase the opportunities for adoption and 
                make sure all capable and loving caregivers have the 
                ability to bring a child into their life, regardless of 
                their race, religion, sexual orientation, or marital 
                status.

                Throughout November, we recognize the thousands of 
                parents and kids who have expanded their families to 
                welcome a new child or sibling, as well as the 
                professionals who offer guidance, resources, and 
                counseling every day. Let us reaffirm our commitment to 
                provide all children with every chance to reach their 
                dreams and realize their highest aspirations.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 2014 as 
                National Adoption Month. I encourage all Americans to 
                observe this month by answering the call to find a 
                permanent and caring family for every child in need, 
                and by supporting the families who care for them.

[[Page 65860]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                ninth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2014-26480
Filed 11-4-14; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5