Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 2.djvu/114

 104 STAT. 1094 PUBLIC LAW 101-472—OCT. 30, 1990 Public Law 101-472 101st Congress Joint Resolution Oct. 30, 1990 To designate the period commencing on November 18, 1990, and ending on [SJ. Res. 362] November 24, 1990, as "National Adoption Week". Whereas Thanksgiving week has been commemorated as "National Adoption Week" for the past 12 years; Whereas we in Congress recognize the essential value of belonging to a secure, loving permanent family as every child's right; Whereas the President of the United States has actively promoted the benefits of adoption by implementing a Federal program to encourage Federal employees to consider adoption; Whereas approximately thirty-six 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 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 rec(^nition 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 period commencing on November 18, 1990, and ending on November 24, 1990, is designated as "National Adoption Week", and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclama- 49-139 O - 90 (472)

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