Explore Adoption Day July 22, 2009

Historic City News received a copy of the following gubernatorial proclamation establishing July 22, 2009, as Explore Adotion Day in the State of Florida.

WHEREAS, Florida’s children are our state’s most precious resource, and every public policy decision made today shapes the future of Florida’s children and provides opportunities for them to develop to their full potential and build their own hopes and dreams; and

WHEREAS, many children in the Sunshine State need loving, nurturing and permanent adoptive families to help them achieve their full potential, and adoption provides unique opportunities to enrich the lives of adoptive parents or families that welcome them; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, Governor Charlie Crist launched Explore Adoption, an award-winning public awareness campaign to educate Florida families about the adoption process, benefits and the children in need of homes; and

WHEREAS, the Explore Adoption Web site, www.adoptflorida.org, receives an average of 8,000 hits a month, and the state adoption help line, 1-800-96-ADOPT, has seen a record number of calls from potential adoptive parents; and

WHEREAS, for the second year in a row, Florida experienced a record breaking number of adoptions, with more than 3,700 in 2008-09 and 3,674 in 2007-08; and

WHEREAS, Florida has safely reduced the number of children entering Florida’s foster care system by 32 percent, from 29,280 in January 2007 to 19,797 children as of July 1, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Florida leads the nation in the percentage of children in out-of-home care being adopted; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, the nationally renowned Dave Thomas Foundation named the State of Florida as the “2009 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace” in government for the second year in a row; and

WHEREAS, it is important to continue to raise public awareness on adoption and recognize all the families across the state who have opened their hearts and homes to Florida’s children;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing July 22, 2009 as Explore Adoption Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 17th day of July, in the year two thousand nine.

Charlie Crist
Governor