Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 1.djvu/834

 99 STAT. 812

PUBLIC LAW 99-153—NOV. 14, 1985 Public Law 99-153 99th Congress Joint Resolution

Nov. 14, 1985 [S.J. Res. 51]

To designate the week beginning November 24, 1985, as "National Adoption Week".

Whereas the week of November 24 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, 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 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 adoptable 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 24 through November 30, 1985, hereby 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 14, 1985.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 51: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): July 19, considered and passed Senate. Nov. 6, considered and passed House.

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