    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 30, 1997]
    [Page 515]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Adoption Promotion
    Legislation
    April 30, 1997

        I congratulate the House of Representatives on the passage of H.R.
    867, the Adoption Promotion Act of 1997. This bipartisan legislation
    will further our efforts to give the children waiting in the foster care
    system what ever child in America deserves--loving parents and a
    healthy, stable home.
        The First Lady and I have had a continuing commitment to uniting
    these waiting children with families to teach, guide, and care for them.
    In December, I directed the Department of Health and Human Services to
    come up with a strategy to simplify the adoption process and move more
    children more quickly from foster care into permanent homes. In response
    to this directive, HHS submitted Adoption 2002, a report which takes its
    name from one of its central goals--to double by the year 2002 the
    number of children adopted or permanently placed each year.
        The Adoption Promotion Act of 1997 incorporates many of the
    recommendations made in the administration's report. I urge Congress to
    keep this important legislation moving forward.