[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

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                           HON. DEBORAH PRYCE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National 
Adoption Month.
  As an adoptive parent of two little girls, I have personally felt the 
unspeakable joy that comes from welcoming a child into your home and 
family. The knowledge that you are giving hope and opportunity to a boy 
or girl who might otherwise have none is inspiring and uplifting.
  In fact six in ten Americans have had a personal experience with 
adoption--meaning they, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, 
has adopted, or has a placed a child for adoption. As we near the 
holiday season, it warms my heart to know that so many people's lives 
have been made better by experiencing the joy that adoption brings.
  Adoption is an issue that people are willing to talk about, but when 
it comes to getting personally involved, many back away. According to 
the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, based in my hometown of 
Columbus, Ohio, 63 percent of Americans have a ``favorable opinion'' of 
adoption, and 78 percent think more should be done to encourage 
adoption. But acting on those feelings tends to be more difficult. The 
typical reaction is that ``someone else will do it.'' Unfortunately for 
the 120,000 children across the country currently in foster care, that 
is not the case. Though there are millions of suitable parents, many do 
not engage in the adoptive process for fear they are not up to the task 
of parenting an adoptive child or because they think adoption is a 
costly and unmanageable process.
  But we still have more work to do. In July, the Department of Health 
and Human Services launched the first ever national public service 
campaign to encourage adoption. This new initiative, produced in 
conjunction with the Ad Council and the Adoption Exchange Association, 
will highlight older ``special needs'' children who need permanent 
homes. ``Special needs'' means they are children who, for various 
reasons, have a harder time finding families willing to adopt them. 
Often special needs include factors such as physical or health problems 
and ethnic or racial background. Other times, a group of siblings needs 
to be adopted together. Fifty-three percent of foster children are 
between the ages of 8-17, and the need to connect these youth with 
permanent families is significant.
  You do not have to be rich, married, highly educated, or a homeowner 
to adopt a child. Children don't need perfect parents, just individuals 
who are willing to open their hearts and homes and make a life-long 
commitment to love and nurture a child.
  I am proud to join my colleagues today in honoring National Adoption 
Month.

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