LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim November 2010 as Adoption Awareness Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor David A. Paterson to proclaim November 2010 as Adoption Awareness
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with National Adoption
Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Aware-
ness Month; while all adoption-related issues are important, the partic-
ular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster
care; and
WHEREAS, Activities and celebrations are kicked off with a Presiden-
tial Proclamation, and while efforts made at the national level certain-
ly help build awareness of adoption, participation in local programs,
events, and activities by those of us with a direct connection to
adoption can often be the most effective way to promote positive percep-
tions, debunk the myths, and draw attention to the tens of thousands of
children in foster care who wait and hope for permanent families; and
WHEREAS, The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for
adoptive families for children in the foster care system occurred in
Massachusetts; in 1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption
Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation;
President Gerald Ford made the first National Adoption Week proclama-
tion, and in 1990, the week was expanded to a month due to the number of
states participating and the number of events; and
WHEREAS, During the month, states, communities, public and private
organizations, businesses, families, and individuals celebrate adoption
as a positive way to build families; across the nation, activities and
observances such as recognition dinners, public awareness and recruit-
ment campaigns, and special events spotlight the needs of children who
need permanent families; it also includes National Adoption Day, tradi-
tionally a Saturday, which is observed in courthouses across the nation
as hundreds of adoptions are finalized simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Promoting awareness can be done through planned events and
campaigns, gatherings and celebrations and simple everyday activities;
these are all opportunities to educate ourselves and others about
adoption and about issues surrounding adoption; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim November 2010 as
Adoption Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.