[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 704 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 704

    Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Month and 
 National Adoption Day by promoting national awareness of adoption and 
 the children waiting for adoption, celebrating children and families 
 involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States 
     to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 14, 2019

  Ms. Shalala (for herself and Mr. Aderholt) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Month and 
 National Adoption Day by promoting national awareness of adoption and 
 the children waiting for adoption, celebrating children and families 
 involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States 
     to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

Whereas there are far too many unparented children in the United States;
Whereas the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report on 
        fiscal year 2018 foster care and adoption population characteristics 
        (referred to in this preamble as the ``AFCARS report'') indicates that 
        there are approximately 437,300 children in the foster care system in 
        the United States, approximately 125,400 of whom are waiting for 
        adoption;
Whereas the AFCARS report indicates that--

    (1) 65 percent of the children in foster care in the United States are 
10 years of age or younger;

    (2) the average length of time a child spends in foster care is 
approximately 20 months;

    (3) in 2018, approximately 17,800 youth ``aged out'' of foster care by 
reaching adulthood without being placed in a permanent home; and

    (4) in 2018, the number of children who--

    G    (A) achieved permanency through adoption increased for the fourth 
year in a row; and

    G    (B) entered foster care decreased for the second year in a row;

Whereas, still, for many foster children, the wait for a loving family in which 
        they are nurtured, comforted, and protected seems endless;
Whereas a survey conducted in 2017 (referred to in this preamble as the ``2017 
        survey'') showed that a quarter of respondents who had not adopted had 
        considered adoption;
Whereas the 2017 survey showed that 46 percent of respondents either somewhat or 
        strongly agreed that children enter the foster care system because of 
        juvenile delinquency, despite the AFCARS report revealing that neglect 
        was associated with 62 percent of cases involving the removal of a 
        child, or approximately 163,500 cases;
Whereas the 2017 survey showed that--

    (1) 39 percent of respondents believed foster care adoption is 
expensive; and

    (2) a majority of respondents considering foster care adoption 
indicated that receiving financial and emotional support would make a 
difference in their decision to pursue adoption;

Whereas the Children's Bureau, an office of the Administration for Children and 
        Families within the Department of Health and Human Services, supports 
        programs, research, and monitoring to help eliminate barriers to 
        adoption and find permanent families for children;
Whereas, every day, loving and nurturing families are strengthened and expanded 
        when committed and dedicated individuals make an important difference in 
        the life of a child through adoption;
Whereas the President traditionally issues an annual proclamation to declare the 
        month of November as National Adoption Month;
Whereas National Adoption Day has been celebrated as a collective national 
        effort to find permanent and loving families for children in the foster 
        care system; and
Whereas the Saturday before Thanksgiving has been recognized as National 
        Adoption Day since at least 2000, and, in 2019, the Saturday before 
        Thanksgiving is November 23: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption 
        Month and National Adoption Day;
            (2) recognizes that every child should have a permanent and 
        loving family; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to consider 
        adoption during the month of November and throughout the year.
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