[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

  (Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, this Thanksgiving many of us had the 
opportunity to spend time with our families and loved ones, so I think 
it's fitting that November is National Adoption Month. I also think 
it's appropriate to take time during this holiday season to recognize 
the tens of thousands of families nationwide who are foster families.
  Unfortunately, in my home State of Illinois, a potentially tragic 
situation has unfolded. Faith-based adoption agencies across the State 
are being shut down because of their belief in traditional marriage. 
The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services has declined to 
renew contracts with several organizations. They have decimated these 
agencies, some of whose work was 70 percent foster care. It's an 
unfortunate situation, and I'm watching it closely.
  But today I want to say publicly that, as we fight to curb teenage 
pregnancy and abortion, the right to adoption is one thing we really 
must defend.

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