[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14793]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of National Adoption Month, which is observed each 
November.
  The goal of National Adoption Month is to increase national awareness 
of adoption and to bring attention to the need for permanent families 
for children and youth in the foster care system. As of September 30 of 
last year, there were more than 110,000 children across our Nation 
waiting to be adopted.
  This year, the initiative focuses on older youth adoptions, which has 
a special significance to me. When I was 11 years old, my family 
welcomed a foster care child, Bob, into our home. Bob, throughout the 
years, has been a part of my life since I was 11 and will be my brother 
for life. In fact, it is because of Bob that I developed a lifelong 
passion for scouting and was eventually motivated to a call to public 
service.
  I commend the men and women across our Nation who have selflessly 
decided to open their homes to these boys and girls, providing good 
homes at a very challenging time for these young people.
  To all the parents who have either adopted a child or participated in 
foster care: Thank you.

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