[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 152 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  IN HONOR OF NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

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                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 22, 2002

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
November being National Adoption Month. Every year, thousands of 
American families are blessed by adoption. Whether through domestic or 
international adoption of children from foster care, the love of 
compassionate families embraces children of all ages and from every 
background. During National Adoption Month, we recognize the heartfelt 
commitment of these good citizens, and we renew our pledge to make 
adoption a more accessible and positive path for American families.
  Children thrive in loving families where they are nurtured, 
comforted, and protected. We are making important progress in placing 
children in foster care with adoptive families, and the overall number 
of children being adopted continues to rise. In the past five years, 
adoptions have increased dramatically, and thus far in 2002, tens of 
thousands of children have already been adopted.
  In addition, as a member of the Congressional Caucus on Adoption, I 
have worked to ease the financial burden on adoptive families and to 
ensure that more children find a caring, permanent home.
  But with most adoption costs ranging from $8,000 to $20,000 and even 
upwards of $30,000, many families can not afford this huge expense. No 
child should be forced to grow up without a family because of the 
tremendous cost of adoption.
  That's why I am proud that the President signed into law a bill I 
supported from its inception that provides for an Adoption Tax Credit 
for those who take this important step into parenthood. As part of the 
Economic Security and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, this provision 
will go a long way to making adoption more affordable.
  Mr. Speaker, every child deserves a permanent, loving home and, with 
so many families who want to open their hearts and their homes to these 
children, this measure will help remove the financial barriers that may 
hinder this union.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents of the fourth 
Congressional district of New York, I, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, 
do hereby commend Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, the Nassau 
County Department of Social Services and the Nassau County's 
Surrogate's Court for finalizing the adoptions of thirty-two children 
from foster care.

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