12 2 STA T .538 2 PROCL A M AT I O N 8315 — OCT. 31 , 2 0 08 Proclam a ti o n8315 o fO cto be r31 ,20 08 Nation a lAd o p tion M ont h,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation DuringNat i o na lAd o p tion M ont h,we re c ogni z etheco m pa s sion o f adopti v e and foster families as we see k to raise awareness of the need for ever y child in America to have a safe, loving, and permanent home . Adopting a child is a great j oy and also a great responsi b ility. P arents are a child ’ s first teachers, and adoptive families can help children learn character and values, the importance of giving back to their com - munity and country, and the courage to realize their potential. O n No- vember 15 , caring parents across our Nation will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions and bringing home chil- dren in need of a hopeful life. My Administration is committed to helping young people find the love, stability, and support that a family can provide. W e have joined with community and faith-based organizations to raise public aware- ness of foster children awaiting adoption. With the help of the C on- gress, we are assisting families in overcoming the financial barriers to adopting children through programs such as the Adoption I ncentives Program. In addition, the Collaboration to Adopt U s K ids project, which can be found at adoptuskids.org, provides guidance and resources for parents e x ploring adoption. During National Adoption Month, we honor adoptive and foster par- ents who have shown America the depth and kindness of the human heart. T heir love and dedication inspire the next generation of Ameri- cans to achieve their dreams and demonstrate the true spirit of our Na- tion. NOW, T HER E F ORE, I, G EORGE W. B U S H, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 20 0 8 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 wait- ing children. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. GEORGE W. BUSH
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