Senator John Thune

Thousands of generous families throughout South Dakota have lovingly and generously opened their hearts to adopt children without homes. These families often endure large expenses, inconveniences, and even heartache, all in order to provide a loving home for children who may otherwise have little hope.

I admire these families and all who work diligently to make such blessings possible. As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I look forward to nominating a South Dakota family each year to be recognized nationally for their efforts.

This year and in previous years, I have co-sponsored resolutions in the Senate to recognize a day in November as National Adoption Day, and November as National Adoption Month.

National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the over 400,000 children in foster care, of which 107,000 are waiting to be adopted.

For the last 10 years, supporters of National Adoption Day have worked with courts, judges, attorneys, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies, and advocates to finalize adoptions and find permanent homes for children in foster care.

I am pleased to support this initiative in Congress, and I encourage all South Dakotans this November to celebrate families throughout our state who adopt.

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