[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 59697-59698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24275]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 214 / Tuesday, November 5, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 59697]]


                Proclamation 9957 of October 31, 2019

                
National Adoption Month, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every child is precious and deserves a loving family of 
                his or her own. During National Adoption Month, we 
                honor the adoptive parents who provide homes--and the 
                invaluable gifts of hope, love, and stability--to 
                thousands of infants, children, and youth. We also 
                recognize the dedicated professionals who work 
                tirelessly to sustain their families through compassion 
                and hard work.

                The families who provide forever homes to children and 
                youth in the foster care system should be recognized 
                for their loving adoptions. While preliminary data show 
                a fortunate decline in the foster care population over 
                the past year, foster care numbers are still too high. 
                In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 alone, nearly 690,000 children 
                and youth were served by the foster care system. While 
                there were more than 63,000 adoptions from the foster 
                care system in FY 2018, thousands of children and youth 
                are still waiting to find permanent, loving families. 
                The need is urgent. We must improve efforts to recruit 
                new adoptive families while faithfully supporting, 
                equipping, and encouraging those families who have 
                already taken one of our Nation's young people into 
                their home to love and care for.

                This month, we also reaffirm our commitment to our 
                Nation's most vulnerable and valuable resource--our 
                children, especially those at greatest risk of neglect. 
                Thousands of older youth in the foster care system 
                desperately need the ongoing guidance and support of a 
                nurturing family. Too many of our youth transition to 
                the next stage of their lives without stable family 
                connections or positive role models to help them 
                navigate the challenges of adulthood. Additionally, 
                children with disabilities and those with siblings 
                typically wait longer for permanent placement in a 
                home. These children need a family who will provide a 
                foundation of acceptance, mentorship, and unconditional 
                love that will motivate and help them to reach their 
                full potential in life.

                The health and well-being of all young people is a top 
                priority in my Administration, and a strong family bond 
                is one of life's greatest joys and richest blessings. 
                That is why we will continue to champion adoption as a 
                profound way to transform lives, strengthen families, 
                and ignite hope across America. In addition, we will 
                protect our country's long and vital tradition of 
                faith-based agencies helping children find their 
                forever homes. We are committed to ensuring that faith-
                based agencies are able to unite children with families 
                while following their deeply held religious beliefs.

                During this annual observance of National Adoption 
                Month, we acknowledge that every child--born and 
                unborn--is uniquely gifted by their Creator and endowed 
                with both potential and immeasurable value. We 
                recognize the loving and devoted individuals who are 
                part of God's plan for every child by taking on the 
                role of a parent through adoption. We also celebrate 
                the beautiful families created through the generous act 
                of adoption, and we hold all the children and youth 
                still waiting for their forever families close in our 
                hearts and lift them up in our prayers.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution

[[Page 59698]]

                and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim 
                November 2019 as National Adoption Month. I encourage 
                all Americans to observe this month by helping children 
                and youth in need of a permanent home secure a more 
                promising future with a forever family and enter 
                adulthood with the love and connections we all need.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2019-24275
Filed 11-4-19; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P