Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/4770

 124 STAT. 4744 PROCLAMATION 8597—NOV. 1, 2010 Proclamation 8597 of November 1, 2010 National Adoption Month, 2010 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Giving a child a strong foundation—a home, a family to love, and a safe place to grow—is one of life’s greatest and most generous gifts. Through adoption, both domestic and international, Americans from across our country have provided secure environments for children who need them, and these families have benefited from the joy an adopted child can bring. Thanks to their nurturing and care, more young people have been able to realize their potential and lead full, happy lives. This year, we celebrate National Adoption Month to rec- ognize adoption as a positive and powerful force in countless Amer- ican lives, and to encourage the adoption of children from foster care. Currently, thousands of children await adoption or are in foster care, looking forward to permanent homes. These children can thrive, reach their full potential, and spread their wings when given the loving and firm foundation of family. Adoptive families come in many forms, and choose to adopt for different reasons: a desire to grow their family when conceiving a child is not possible, an expression of compassion for a child who would otherwise not have a permanent family, or sim- ply because adoption has personally touched their lives. For many Americans, adoption has brought boundless purpose and joy to their lives. We must do all we can to break down barriers to ensure that all qualified caregivers have the ability to serve as adoptive families. This year, on November 20, families, adoption advocates, policy- makers, judges, and volunteers will celebrate the 11th annual National Adoption Day in communities large and small. National Adoption Day is a day of hope and happiness when courthouses finalize the adop- tions of children out of foster care. Last year, Health and Human Serv- ices Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was honored to preside over a cere- mony celebrating two foster care adoptions as part of my Administra- tion’s support for this important day. Adoptive families are shining examples of the care and concern that define our great Nation. To support adoption in our communities, my Administration is working with States to support families eager to pro- vide for children in need of a place to call home. The landmark Afford- able Care Act increases and improves the Adoption Tax Credit, ena- bling adoption to be more affordable and accessible. As part of the Adoption Incentives program, States can also receive awards for in- creasing adoptions and the number of children adopted from foster care. AdoptUsKids, a project of the Department of Health and Human Services, offers technical support to States, territories, and tribes to re- cruit and retain foster and adoptive families; provides information and assistance to families considering adoption; and supports parents al- ready on that journey. I encourage all Americans to visit AdoptUsKids.org or ChildWelfare.gov/Adoption for information and re- sources on adoption, including adoption from foster care.