[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 45 (Monday, November 8, 2004)]
[Page 2795]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7838--National Adoption Month, 2004

 November 4, 2004

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    By deciding to share their hearts and homes with a child, adoptive 
parents demonstrate great compassion and receive many blessings in 
return. During National Adoption Month, we recognize the generosity of 
adoptive and foster families who are providing hope and love, and we 
encourage the adoption of children of all ages.
    In 2002, I signed the Promoting Safe and Stable Families legislation 
that supports families and promotes adoption, and last December I signed 
the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 to increase incentives to adopt older 
children. We have raised the adoption tax credit to $10,000 per child 
and created the AdoptUSKids website that has joined thousands of 
children with adoptive parents. We are working hard to place more 
children from foster care to permanent homes. This year, on November 20, 
communities from all 50 States and the District of Columbia will 
celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing the adoption of thousands 
of children by loving families. And each one of those families will be 
enriched by the addition of new members. By bringing care and hope into 
other lives, individuals can fill their own lives with greater purpose.
     Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States 
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2004 as 
National Adoption Month. I call on all Americans to observe this month 
with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and 
to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:39 a.m., November 8, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
November 9.