Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 1.djvu/946

 101 STAT. 916

PUBLIC LAW 100-172—NOV. 19, 1987

Public Law 100-172 100th Congress

1T' u ^ WBJ ^ V^I Q sir^^aoO-JVOi Joint Resolution

Nov. 19, 1987 [S.J. Res. 97]

To designate the week beginning November 22, 1987, as "National Adoption Week".

Whereas Thanksgiving week has been commemorated as "National Adoption Week" for the past ten years; Whereas we in Congress recognize the essential value of belonging to a secure, loving, permanent family as every child's basic right; Whereas approximately fifty thousand children who have special needs—school age children, children within sibling groups, children who are members of minorities, or children with physical, mental, or emotional handicaps—are now in foster care or institutions financed at public expense and are legally free for adoption; Whereas the adoption by capable parents of these institutionalized or foster care children into permanent, adoptive homes would insure the opportunity for their continued happiness and longrange well-being; Whereas public and private barriers inhibiting the placement of these special needs children must be reviewed and removed where possible to assure these children's adoption; Whereas the public and prospective parents must be informed of the availability of adoptive children; Whereas a variety of media, agencies, adoptive parent and advocacy groups, civic and church groups, businesses, and industries will feature publicity and information to heighten community awareness of the crucial needs of waiting children; and Whereas the recognition of Thanksgiving week as "National Adoption Week" is in the best interest of adoptable children and the public in general: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week of November 22, 1987, through November 28, 1987, is designated "National Adoption Week", and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved November 19, 1987.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 97 (H.J. Res. 274): CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 133 (1987): Oct. 20, H.J. Res. 274 considered and passed House. Oct. 30, S.J. Res. 97 considered and passed Senate. Nov. 1, considered and passed House.

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