National Adoption Day: House Republicans Celebrate and Advocate
November 21 is National Adoption Day.
This is a time when we advocate on behalf of those without a forever family, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and celebrate the men and women who accepted the call to adopt.
Appropriately, National Adoption Day is during the same month as Thanksgiving. In a few days, families across the country will gather around their dining room tables. As we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives, let us not forget those who do without.
In the United States alone, there are roughly 400,000 children living without permanent families. Of those, more than 100,000 are eligible for adoption.
Children in foster care are there through no fault of their own, and they face challenges that would test the resolve of even the most mature adults: frequent moves, early trauma, instability, and in many cases, abuse.
For the 153 million orphans around the world, November is a month of hope — hope for global awareness, and hope that they too will see the comfort and stability of a forever family.
For legislators and local leaders, November is a sobering reminder that there is still much more to be done to advocate for young people in our own communities and around the world.
At a time when Congress feels divided, we stand united in this cause.
The House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, work diligently — together — to shine a light on and hold a microphone up to America’s “forgotten youth.”
In 2012, the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth formed, and its longer-established counterpart, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, is the largest bipartisan and bicameral caucus in Congress.
Together we passed the Uninterrupted Scholars Act, which eases paperwork and protects foster youth as they transition from school to school. President Obama later signed it into law.
Together this year we passed the Adoptive Family Relief Act, to provide relief for adoptive families from immigrant visa fees in certain situations.
Together we condemned the Russian Federation for banning adoptions by Americans in retaliation for an unrelated policy. This decision ripped apart families, split sibling groups, and left American parents in adoption limbo, unsure if their child will ever make it home.
Together we helped put pressure on the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the Congolese government instituted a ban on foreign adoptions. Now 71 of the 1,000 adoptions are in the process of completion.
And together we passed legislation that addresses human trafficking concerns with foster youth, to ensure that those without the stability and security of a family don’t fall prey to predators.
United by this cause, we’ve accomplished a lot. But we recognize there is still much more work to be done.
As we celebrate National Adoption Day on Saturday, we seek to tear down the stereotypes, correct the myths, champion the youth in need of families, and celebrate those who have opened their homes — and their hearts — to the most vulnerable in our communities.
In the spirit of November being National Adoption Month, House Republicans are sharing their own stories of adoption, celebrating those in their districts who have made a difference, and highlighting the significant work Congress is doing to address the needs of young people looking for a family. Click here to view our National Adoption Month publication.
The House Republicans celebrate and advocate for adoption, and we ask that you join us.
After all, there are no unwanted children. Just unfound families.
