WHEREAS, every child deserves a permanent, loving family and the opportunity to grow in a safe, stable, and trusted environment; and

WHEREAS, adoption is a loving, nurturing way to build or add to a family and provides stability for children and youth who need permanent families; and

WHEREAS, state agencies, courts, and public and private organizations in Maine and across the nation are dedicated to finding families for children of all ages; and

WHEREAS, we must remember all the children in Maine who are currently in foster care waiting for a loving family and we celebrate the 227 adoptions that have taken place in Maine so far this year; and

WHEREAS, Adoption Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care, to honor and recognize the families that are formed through adoption, and to commend the many hardworking, caring professionals and advocates who further adoption efforts in Maine;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of November 2024 as

Adoption Awareness Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize the many children waiting to be adopted, the outstanding commitment provided by dedicated adoptive parents, and the services of those working every day to place them in loving families.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this thirtieth day of October Two Thousand Twenty-Four