[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK RENZI

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Adoption Caucus, I 
rise in support of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003, H.R. 3182, to 
continue rewarding States for their efforts to promote adoption of 
children in need of loving families. Since 1997, the number of children 
adopted from foster care has increased 64 percent. I am happy that 
States have made substantial progress in finding safe, permanent homes 
for kids. However, many older children still linger in foster care, and 
this bill will assist States to find adoptive families for these 
children. Approximately 126,000 children currently are awaiting 
adoption, half of whom are age nine or older. The Adoption Promotion 
Act of 2003 enhances the current incentive program, which rewards 
States that make gains in the number of children adopted, by creating a 
new incentive for States that increase adoptions of children age 9 or 
older. This change reflects a proposal outlined by the Bush 
Administration.

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