[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 145 Referred in House (RFH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. J. RES. 145


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 1, 1993

       Referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
To designate the period commencing on November 21, 1993, and ending on 
November 27, 1993, and the period commencing on November 20, 1994, and 
    ending on November 26, 1994, each as ``National Adoption Week''.

Whereas Thanksgiving week has been commemorated as ``National Adoption Week'' 
        for the past 15 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, or 
        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 permanent 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 the 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 21, 1993, and ending on November 27, 1993, and the period 
commencing on November 20, 1994, and ending on November 26, 1994, are 
each designated as ``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 each week with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities.

            Passed the Senate October 29 (legislative day, October 13), 
      1993.

            Attest:

                                             WALTER J. STEWART,

                                                             Secretary.