Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 2.djvu/268

 105 STAT. 1220 PUBLIC LAW 102-174—NOV. 27, 1991 Public Law 102-174 102d Congress Joint Resolution Nov 27 1991 "^^ designate the period commencing on November 24, 1991, and ending on November 30, 1991, and the period commencing on November 22, 1992, and ending on [S.J. Res. 207] November 28, 1992, each as "National Adoption Week". Whereas Thanksgiving week has been commemorated as "National Adoption Week" for the past 13 years; Whereas the Congress recognizes that belonging to a secure, loving, and permanent family is 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 36,000 children who may be characterized as having special needs such as being of school age, being members of a sibling group, being members of a minority group, or having physical, mental, and emotional disabilities are now in foster care or in institutions financed at public expense and are legally free for adoption; Whereas public and private barriers inhibiting the placement of special needs children must be reviewed and removed where possible to assure their adoption; Whereas the adoption of institutionalized or foster care children by capable parents into permeinent homes would ensure an opportunity for their continued happiness and long-range well-being; Whereas the public and prospective parents must be informed that there are children available for adoption; Whereas media, agencies, adoptive parent and advocacy groups, civic and church groups, businesses, and industries will provide publicity and information to heighten community awareness of the crucial needs of children available for adoption; and Whereas the recognition of Thanksgiving week as "National Adoption Week" is in the best interest of adoptable children and in the best interest of the public generally: 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 24, 1991, and ending on November 30, 1991, and the period commencing on November 22, 1992, and ending 59-139 O - 91 (174)

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