[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8597--NOV. 1, 2010

Proclamation 8597 of November 1, 2010
National Adoption Month, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Giving a child a strong foundation--a home, a family to love, and a safe
place to grow--is one of life's greatest and most generous gifts.
Through adoption, both domestic and international, Americans from across
our country have provided secure environments for children who need
them, and these families have benefited from the joy an adopted child
can bring. Thanks to their nurturing and care, more young people have
been able to realize their potential and lead full, happy lives. This
year, we celebrate National Adoption Month to recognize adoption as a
positive and powerful force in countless American lives, and to
encourage the adoption of children from foster care.
Currently, thousands of children await adoption or are in foster care,
looking forward to permanent homes. These children can thrive, reach
their full potential, and spread their wings when given the loving and
firm foundation of family. Adoptive families come in many forms, and
choose to adopt for different reasons: a desire to grow their family
when conceiving a child is not possible, an expression of compassion for
a child who would otherwise not have a permanent family, or simply
because adoption has personally touched their lives. For many Americans,
adoption has brought boundless purpose and joy to their lives. We must
do all we can to break down barriers to ensure that all qualified
caregivers have the ability to serve as adoptive families.
This year, on November 20, families, adoption advocates, policymakers,
judges, and volunteers will celebrate the 11th annual National Adoption
Day in communities large and small. National Adoption Day is a day of
hope and happiness when courthouses finalize the adoptions of children
out of foster care. Last year, Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius was honored to preside over a ceremony celebrating two
foster care adoptions as part of my Administration's support for this
important day.

Adoptive families are shining examples of the care and concern that
define our great Nation. To support adoption in our communities, my
Administration is working with States to support families eager to
provide for children in need of a place to call home. The landmark
Affordable Care Act increases and improves the Adoption Tax Credit,
enabling adoption to be more affordable and accessible. As part of the
Adoption Incentives program, States can also receive awards for
increasing adoptions and the number of children adopted from foster
care. AdoptUsKids, a project of the Department of Health and Human
Services, offers technical support to States, territories, and tribes to
recruit and retain foster and adoptive families; provides information
and assistance to families considering adoption; and supports parents
already on that journey. I encourage all Americans to visit
AdoptUsKids.org or ChildWelfare.gov/Adoption for information and
resources on adoption, including adoption from foster care.

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As we observe National Adoption Month, we honor the loving embrace of
adoptive families and the affirming role of adoption in the lives of
American families and our country. Let us all commit to supporting our
children in any way that we are able--whether opening our hearts and
homes through adoption, becoming foster parents to provide quality
temporary care to children in crisis, supporting foster and adoptive
families in our communities and places of worship, mentoring young
people in need of guidance, or donating time to helping children in
need. Working together, we can shape a future of hope and promise for
all of our Nation's children.
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 2010 as
National Adoption Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month
by answering the call to find homes for every child in America in need
of a permanent and caring family, as well as to support the families who
care for them.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA