THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA PROCLAMATION HONORING

NOVEMBER IS ADOPTION MONTH

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WHEREAS, San Mateo County and its Human Services Agency – Children and Family Services re-affirm that each and every child deserves a loving, nurturing and permanent home, including older children; and

WHEREAS, adoption is the most desired and sought after permanency plan for children in foster care who are unable to reunify with their families; and

WHEREAS, it is acknowledged that some of these children need and require extra patience and support to help them overcome previous hardships; and

WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 06-07, 43 children’s adoptions were finalized by Children and Family Services; and

WHEREAS, there are families able and willing to adopt children who have special needs; and

WHEREAS, it is important to stress that a disability, low income, or unmarried status does not preclude the right to adopt; and

WHEREAS, children waiting for adoptive parents, and families who have adopted these children, require and deserve community and public agency support; and

WHEREAS, in honor of this event, we encourage citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, businesses, and others to celebrate adoption, honor families that grow through adoption, further awareness of the changes and issues in adoption, and focus attention on those children who live in the shadow of an uncertain future while they await permanent families.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim the month of November as National Adoption Month and November 17, 2007 as Adoption Day.

Dated: November 27, 2007

SUPERVISORS:

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ROSE JACOBS GIBSON, PRESIDENT

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MARK CHURCH

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RICHARD S. GORDON

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JERRY HILL

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ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors