Political Quotes

“I rise today to acknowledge November as National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day on Nov. 19, 2011. With over 107,000 children waiting to be adopted from the U.S. foster care system, I think it is crucial to celebrate the parents, social workers, judges, lawyers, teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, and other dedicated advocates who help children find safe, permanent and loving homes. It seems quite appropriate that as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, we also celebrate the ways in which families grow through adoption. My own family has been personally touched by adoption, and I can't express enough the positive impact that adoption can have on children and families. Together, National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day aim to raise awareness of the 408,000 children living in the nation's foster care system and encourage individuals to consider opening their homes and hearts through adoption. Each year more than 20,000 children age out of the foster care system without finding a permanent family to call their own. The majority of these children struggle to meet the demands of adult life on their own. Only 50 percent earn a high school diploma, barely 3 percent go on to obtain a college degree, and one out of four will experience homelessness at some point in their lives. While we generally recognize adult independence at age 18, children rarely stop needing the stability, support and guidance that families provide.…”