    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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.

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    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 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.
    DONALD J. TRUMP