[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10303-S10304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of National 
Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Senator Coleman and I 
understand that the Senate passed our resolution recognizing National 
Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. I stand before you today and 
challenge every Member of Congress to take this opportunity to be the 
voice for children who do not necessarily have someone to speak for 
them.
  As chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I strongly 
believe that ``there is no such thing as an unwanted child, just 
unfound families.'' The Hague Convention recognizes ``that the child, 
for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, 
should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, 
love and understanding.'' Unfortunately, not all children have a family 
of their own, but through adoption our children have the opportunity to 
find their ``forever family.''
  Nearly half of all Americans have been touched by adoption, and last 
year more than 4,200 children became members of permanent loving 
families through adoption celebrations that were held in all 50 States, 
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. I commend every State for 
its efforts, but we still have miles to go.
  Between 2002 and 2007, approximately 4.8 million children were 
serviced by the U.S. foster care system, and only 310,000 of them were 
adopted by ``forever families.'' Children in foster care are some of 
the most vulnerable members of our society, and we must do everything 
in our power to make sure they have the necessary tools to live a 
normal healthy life. As Members of Congress we have taken a stance in 
helping children move from foster care to permanent, adoptive homes by 
passing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions 
Act of 2008. However, National Adoption Day gives us the chance to 
experience firsthand the joys that adoption brings to the lives of our 
children and their families.
  President Bush has recognized the importance of adoption to children 
and our Nation. That is why he declares November to be National 
Adoption Month. This year National Adoption Day occurs on November 15 
as a part of National Adoption Month. National Adoption Day is an event 
to raise awareness of the 129,000 children in foster care who are 
waiting for permanent families. Since the first National Adoption Day 
in 2000, nearly 20,000 children have joined ``forever families'' on 
this special day. This year we hope to have events in all 50 States, 
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
  I want you to picture what happens on this fall day, children 
running, laughing, and playing with their new parent. Think about a 
girl or boy planning their special outfit and joyously awaiting the 
family celebration. Imagine the excitement welling up inside of a child 
as she looks into her new parent's eyes and knows she is finally part 
of a family. She will never dread the sound of a car coming to take her 
away again or wonder where she will lay her head or which school she 
will be moved to.
  Now picture the other dramatically different reality. There are 
approximately 513,000 current foster care children in the United 
States, and 114,000 of them are waiting for adoption. Since 1987, the 
number of children in foster care has nearly doubled, and the average 
time a child remains in foster care has lengthened to nearly 3 years. 
Each year, approximately 24,000 children in foster care will age out of 
the system without ever being placed with a permanent family.
  According to a survey by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 
many potential adoptive parents have considered foster care adoption, 
but ``a majority of Americans hold misperceptions about the foster care 
adoption process and the children who are eligible for adoption.'' For 
example, ``two-thirds of those considering foster care adoption are 
unnecessarily concerned that biological parents can return to claim 
their children and nearly half of all Americans mistakenly believe that 
foster care adoption is expensive, when in reality adopting from foster 
care is without substantial cost.''
  Most foster children entered into State custody because their parents 
were either unable or unwilling to care for them. Not only are children 
separated from parents, but in many cases, siblings are separated when 
they are placed in foster care. Over half the children in foster care 
are 10 years of age or older and have more difficulty being adopted. 
These children are just waiting to flourish with the right parent's 
guidance.
  In Louisiana there are 4,541 children in foster care and 1,162 of 
them are waiting to be adopted. I would like to share with you how 
foster care and adoption has affected some of our children in 
Louisiana.
  Ian is 15 years old and first entered foster care at the age of 5 due 
to physical abuse and lack of supervision by his mother. Ian's mother 
surrendered her parental rights, and he and his three sisters were 
placed for adoption. Ian's younger sisters were adopted by their foster 
parents.
  In November 2006, Ian was placed in a specialized foster home after 
completing a facility program. This family has worked very closely with 
Ian in learning to trust others, making appropriate choices, on 
becoming part of a family unit, and being able to ``attach'' to others 
in preparation of an adoptive family. Ian is working very hard to 
adjust to a ``traditional family lifestyle'' and is progressing well in 
this family setting. Ian states he wants an adoptive family that says, 
``You are our child and we will not turn you away.''
  Ian is very personable and is looking for acceptance in life. He is 
polite, affectionate, and very adventurous. Ian enjoys playing 
basketball, riding bikes, reading Harry Potter books, and playing video 
games. Numerous recruitment efforts for an adoptive home have been made 
since Ian was placed in the specialized foster home, but an adoptive 
family has not been found to date. One of the greatest barriers to 
adoption is a lack of resources of prospective adoptive families 
willing to adopt older children.
  While Ian is still desperately searching for someone to love and care 
for him, Christopher, through all of his struggles, has found that 
sense of permanency. Christopher is 12 years old and first entered 
foster care at the age of 2 months. He was subject to abuse by his 
biological father that resulted in a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, 
bruises, bites, and burns. Christopher had many developmental delays 
and problematic behaviors requiring placement in specialized foster 
homes. Christopher's removal was requested by several foster placements 
because of behavioral issues. In June 2006, a foster parent who had 
provided respite for Christopher was asked to consider the fostering of 
Christopher as the child had formed a very strong bond to this foster 
parent and her children during his respite visits. Upon placement in 
this home, drastic improvements were noted in Christopher's behavior, 
socialization, academic achievements, and physical health. In all 
appearances, Christopher was now functioning in the normal range for 
his age and with minimal evidence of neurological impairment. 
Christopher's neurologist continued to marvel at Christopher's 
functioning considering the extensive injuries he had suffered as an 
infant.
  One day while the adoption social worker was visiting with 
Christopher and his foster mother, Christopher said he wanted to change 
his name to ``Kantrell.'' The social worker responded ``Kantrell (and 
Christopher's last name), that does sound nice.'' Christopher replied 
no, ``Kantrell'' and the last name of his foster mother. The

[[Page S10304]]

social worker stated that she immediately noted a glistening in the eye 
of the foster mother who replied, ``Is that really what you want, 
Christopher?'' Christopher responded that was very much his desire. The 
adoption of Christopher was finalized in January 2008 with Christopher 
changing his name to ``Kantrell.'' Kantrell has continued to thrive in 
his adoptive home and is a delight to all who know him.
  Each year, 79,000 children and youth who exit foster care leave 
without a permanent home or belonging to a family. I could stand here 
every day for the next month and talk about each child who needs to be 
adopted out of foster care. The bottom line is that each of these 
children, from 1 day old to 22 years old, needs permanency. They all 
need a loving, nurturing family that will help them to grow, bring out 
their unique personalities, and transform them into confident and happy 
adults.
  On National Adoption Day, I have faith that we can be the catalyst to 
securing a permanent loving family for every child. The miracle of 
adoption cannot be explained, but the loving parents who are holding 
their children for the first time today are living examples of how 
dreams can be realized. As an adoptive mother myself, I find that words 
cannot adequately explain the miracle of adoption. I can only take a 
moment to offer my most humble thanks, gratitude, and appreciation to 
all those across the Nation who have given their Saturday to help find 
waiting children safe and loving homes.
  Let us continue to remember that when National Adoption Month and Day 
end there are still thousands of children who need that sense of 
permanency. I challenge Congress to make these children their first 
priority and not another statistic to be studied. Please join us in 
supporting National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by 
participating in events held across the country celebrating this most 
joyous, hopeful act.

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