[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9597 of April 28, 2017

National Foster Care Month, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During the month of May, we observe National Foster Care Month and we
celebrate those who have opened their homes and their hearts to children
in need and those who have devoted their careers to serving America's
foster youth.
Americans throughout the country are serving their communities as foster
parents, mentors, respite care providers, and volunteers. In the last
year alone, America's foster families opened their homes and hearts to
more than 300,000 young people.
But we can do more. Every child deserves a safe and supportive family.
Ensuring that children grow up with the opportunity to reach their full
potential is a top priority of my Administration. For thousands of
children whose biological families are unable to support them, foster
families provide a secure and nurturing environment that is essential
for a successful start in life.
Foster families serve young people from all walks of life, from infants
awaiting adoption, to children seeking reunification with their families
and teens in need of safe havens from negative influences. In many

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cases, they offer our Nation's most at-risk children a second chance at
the American Dream.
A tremendous demand exists for foster parents and families across the
country. Together as a Nation, we must raise awareness about this need
and inspire volunteers to step forward and invest in the lives of our
Nation's youth through our foster care system.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2017 as National
Foster Care Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by
taking time to help children and youth in foster care and to recognize
the commitment of those who touch their lives, particularly celebrating
their foster parents and other caregivers.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
DONALD J. TRUMP