[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

  Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today to bring attention to a 
critical and often hidden issue facing our Nation. Each year, nearly 
18,000 foster children across our country age out of the system with no 
permanent place to call home. Right now, over 125,000 foster children 
are eligible for adoption and waiting for their forever family. Over 
1,600 of those children live in Nevada. Every single child deserves a 
safe, loving, and permanent family.
  November is National Adoption Month, a time to recognize and 
celebrate the many ways that families are created, including through 
adoption. There are children in our communities, waiting to belong, to 
be loved, and to be a part of what so many of us take for granted. 
Sitting down to a meal with a parent, knowing you have a family member 
in the audience at a school event or knowing that someone is, indeed, 
waiting up to make sure you get home safe and by curfew. The very idea 
that someone cares enough to make sure homework is done, and to listen 
when your day doesn't go so well does immeasurable good for children.
  Our Nation's foster children are in a situation that is no fault of 
their own. Most are there due to severe neglect or abuse. They have 
experienced trauma. They have been suddenly taken away from all they 
know, bringing few possessions, stored in a garbage bag, with them as 
they move from home to home. The goal is always to reunite foster 
children with their biological families if it can be done safely, but 
unfortunately, that isn't always an option. For the children who remain 
in our foster system, we can and must do better.
  Absolutely no child is unadoptable. By working together, we can 
achieve a future where every child in our Nation knows without a doubt 
they belong and they have a family. I encourage anyone interested in 
learning more about adoption to visit www.adoptuskids.org or reach out 
to local community organizations to find out more about how to get 
involved with mentoring or supporting foster children in other ways.
  As I hear from constituents about the work they do to help raise 
awareness and improve outcomes for foster youth, I am so encouraged. I 
remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate to create 
a brighter future for our most vulnerable children.

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