[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 181 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2011

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, each year we recognize November as 
National Adoption Month. I encourage my colleagues in both chambers to 
raise awareness about the adoption of young boys and girls in our 
foster care system who dream of one day having a forever family. Many 
of us have brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles, sons or daughters, who 
have lovingly decided to add to their family through adoption. By 
raising awareness about the many benefits of adoption, and the process 
for families and children in foster homes, we can make sure more 
children go to sleep in their own home every night.
  According to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, 
423,000 children are living without permanent families in the U.S. 
Today, 115,000 of these children are eligible for adoption but almost 
40% will wait more than 3 years in foster care before being adopted. 
Every single year--and this number is climbing--over 29,000 of our 
young people ``age-out'' of foster care. A child that ``ages-out'' is 
more likely to be undereducated, unemployed, homeless, addicted to 
drugs or alcohol and/or utilizing government benefits to survive, 
compared to their peers who grew up outside the foster care system or 
were adopted before aging out. Our children deserve better than this, 
and the good news is we can help. We can help by encouraging more 
families to consider adoption, and offering assistance to those who do 
by extending the adoption tax credit.
  Our young people are our greatest treasure. To continue to allow 
thousands of our young people to begin adulthood at a distinct 
disadvantage would be devastating. Please consider the plight of so 
many of our children and young adults living in foster care; shuttled 
back and forth between homes, towns, cities, schools, friends, support 
groups, and so on. Children in foster care without a more permanent 
structure and support system are more likely to distrust adults or have 
strained relationships with the adults in their lives and with their 
peers.
  National Adoption Month is also an opportunity to recognize the 
foster parents in our communities who are selflessly giving so much to 
help our youth. They too deserve our support and our thanks. Foster 
parents across this nation are wonderful examples for all of us and 
provide some of our most vulnerable young people with protection and a 
sense of family and home. I appreciate their sacrifice and I hope they 
know it does not go unnoticed. The decision to become foster parents or 
adoptive parents can sometimes be scary; not knowing how one's family 
dynamics may be impacted or if you'll be able to create a bond with the 
child and the child with you. To all who may be considering these 
options today, trust me. I know from personal experience that the worry 
melts away as soon as you bring that special child into your home. As a 
foster grandparent, and now a proud grandpa of two adopted children, I 
can assure you that it won't be long before you realize that it's not 
just the children who gain so much through adoption. You too gain more 
joy and more love than you ever could have imagined.
  Look for ways that you can get involved with adoption efforts in your 
local community. Locate adoption services in your community and help 
with your time, money, or both. Adoption is essential to the health of 
our nation. Supporting adoptive parents, adoption agencies, and foster 
parents is a duty for all of us.

                          ____________________