    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 13, 1997]
    [Page 1556]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Action on Adoption Legislation
    November 13, 1997

        I am pleased that the Senate and the House of Representatives have
    passed historic, bipartisan legislation to promote adoption and improve
    our Nation's child welfare system, giving our Nation's most vulnerable
    children what every child deserves--a safe and permanent home. I very
    much look forward to signing the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
    into law.
        This legislation makes clear that children's health and safety are
    the paramount concerns of the public child welfare system. I am
    particularly pleased that the bill incorporates my administration's
    recommendations to provide States with financial incentives to increase
    the number of children who are adopted and to make other changes in
    Federal law that will make adoption easier and move children more
    rapidly out of foster care and into permanent homes. The legislation
    also strengthens support to States for services that help families stay
    together when that is possible and promote adoption when it is not. Most
    important, this legislation will help us meet the goal of doubling, by
    the year 2002, the number of children who are adopted or permanently
    placed each year.
        I want to thank the many Members of the Senate and the House of
    Representatives who worked so hard on this bipartisan achievement, but I
    particularly want to thank the Congressional leadership and the sponsors
    of this legislation, Senators Chafee and Rockefeller and Representatives
    Camp and Kennelly, for their commitment. And I would like to add a
    special work of thanks to the First Lady for her tenacity and dedication
    to this important issue.
        I can think of no better way to celebrate National Adoption Month
    than to sign this legislation into law.