National Adoption Month

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama recognizes the importance of giving children permanent, safe and loving families through adoption; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama recognizes the diligence and hard work that adoption professionals display everyday in identifying forever families for its children for foster care; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama recognizes the partnerships of many agencies and groups making adoption for children in foster care possible; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama and the Department of Human Resources is celebrating the finalized adoptions of more than 400 foster children during fiscal year 2011; and

WHEREAS, there are approximately 6,200 children in the care of custody of the Department of Human Resources; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 600 children who are legally available for adoption in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, it is important to raise awareness about the needs of children in Alabama’s foster care system and for more permanent families for these children:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 2011, as

National Adoption Month

in the State of the Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 18th day of October 2011.

                                                                                 ___Governor Robert Bentley