WHEREAS, children are our greatest resource and the brightest hope for the future of our state and nation; and

        WHEREAS, the family is the cornerstone of our society, the unit by which we transmit the values and traditions of the past, and is the primary agent which prepares our children to become productive citizens; and

        WHEREAS, every child – regardless of physical, medical or emotional disabilities, age or race – deserves a permanent, caring family and the opportunity to grow in a secure environment; and

        WHEREAS, adoption is a loving and viable way of building a family and providing stability for children who need families; and

        WHEREAS, birth parents – who make the difficult decision to place their children with adoptive families – and adoptive parents – who open their hearts and homes to children – all deserve community support and respect; and

        WHEREAS, Adoption Awareness Month is a time for all Americans to reflect on the dreams of those children who wait for a permanent family, and those families who desire the joys and responsibilities of parenthood; and

        WHEREAS, in 2007 Idaho adoption professionals improved the permanency outcome for children in finding adoptive families for waiting children, but our work is not done;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C. L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim November 2008, to be

ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH

in Idaho, and urge all of our citizens to recognize this event and participate in its observance.
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 6^th day of November in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-third and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred nineteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE