Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 2.djvu/275

 PUBLIC LAW 101-169—NOV. 21, 1989 103 STAT. 1285 Public Law 101-169 101st Congress Joint Resolution To designate the period commencing on November 20, 1989, and ending on Novem- Nov. 21, 1989 ber 26, 1989, as "National Adoption Week". [H.J. Res. 278] Whereas Thanksgiving week has been commemorated as "National Adoption Week" for the past 11 years; r 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, in sibling groups, members of minorities, or / children with physical, mental, and 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 ensure the opportunity for their continued happiness and long- range 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 c feature publicity and information to heighten community aware- ness of the crucial needs of waiting children; and Whereas the recognition of Thanksgiving week as "National Adop- tion 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 period commenc- ing on November 20, 1989, and ending on November 26, 1989, is designated as "National Adoption Week", and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation

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