National Adoption Month

It's that time of year again. No, not the approaching Christmas season when stores have already been blaring Christmas music and selling Christmas ornaments 40% off and offering new yard inflatables at great prices. Neither am I talking about the time for turkey, tryptophan, and the NFL. What I am talking about is National Adoption Month.

While the average family may have had no idea that this awareness month exists, to many of us it holds great emotion. To some, it will remind them of that day in which they were joined with their "forever family." For others, it is a time of longing for that day to come. And for some children, it is a reminder that they have yet to find a family to call their own.

From the office of the President of the United States:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 31, 2007

National Adoption Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

During National Adoption Month, we recognize the adoptive and foster families who have shared their homes and hearts with children in need, and we encourage more Americans to consider adopting young people of all ages.

Families who adopt show the generous spirit of our Nation. Every child desires a permanent home, and when parents adopt a child to love as their own, lives are forever changed. For parents, the decision to adopt a child is among life's greatest and happiest turning points. On November 17, families across the country will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions, and each one of these homes will be richer for the addition of new family members.

My Administration is committed to promoting adoption of children of all ages. We are working to bring together more children with loving, adoptive parents through the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids at adoptuskids.org and by providing States with financial assistance through the Adoption Incentives Program. The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program helps improve care and services to children and families and ensure more young people in America have a caring, secure, and permanent home. Together, these efforts are building a brighter future for our youth.

During National Adoption Month, we honor adoptive and foster parents as they raise children of conviction and character. By accepting the gift of these children, parents are helping shape lives and contributing to the strength of our great Nation.

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 2007 as National Adoption Month. I call upon 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 thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The highlight is this Saturday, November 17th - National Adoption Day - when thousands of adoptions across the country will be finalized at the same time. 2006 was the first year all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia all celebrated National Adoption Day. More then 3,300 adoptions of children in fostercare were finalized. Yet sadly, over 114,000 children remain in the U.S. fostercare system.

I encourage you to learn more about adoption - and orphancare - this month. You can start with some of these great resources:

* view the video "A Family for Every Child" at the National Adoption Day website.

* listen to adoption-centric programs from FamilyLife, available by podcast by going to your iTunes store, typing in "FamilyLife" and choosing FamilyLife Today with Dennis Rainey. If you have Real Player or Windows Media Player, you can also listen at Oneplace.com.

* Shaohannah's Hope

* Cry of the Orphan

* Bring Me Hope

* Love Without Boundaries

And, of course, if you ever have any questions, just leave a comment or contact me at GO NEAR

When you tuck your children in bed tonight...or spend time with another precious child in your life...please lift a prayer for the millions of children who have no one to call their family. And please, please pray about how God would have you GO NEAR an orphan today.