AJR71,1,52 Whereas, since 1995, American presidents have proclaimed each November as
3National Adoption Month and have asked the people of the United States to observe
4the month by answering the call to find a permanent and caring family for every child
5in need and by supporting the families that care for them; and

AJR71,1,86 Whereas, in Wisconsin in 2010, 1,159 foster children in Wisconsin were waiting
7to be adopted and these children risk reaching adulthood without permanent
8families of their own; and

AJR71,1,119 Whereas, foster care was intended to be temporary, but many Wisconsin
10children remain in foster homes for long periods, the average length of stay in foster
11care being more than three and a half years; and

AJR71,1,1412 Whereas, older children in Wisconsin are less likely to be adopted than younger
13ones, the average age of adopted children being 6.2 years while the average age of
14children waiting to be adopted is 7.7 years; and

AJR71,2,2

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1Whereas, in 2010, 410 children in Wisconsin became too old to continue in foster
2care without having been adopted by a permanent, legal family; and

AJR71,2,43 Whereas, a permanent family plays an important role in helping young adults
4take their places in society; and

AJR71,2,75 Whereas, providing stable homes and an opportunity for happiness and success
6for children who have been displaced through no fault of their own is a commendable
7act that benefits not only those children and the adopting families but all of us; and

AJR71,2,98 Whereas, it is in the best interest of our state and its people to encourage and
9promote adoption; now, therefore, be it