U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9), a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, today issued the following statement in recognition of National Adoption Day on Saturday, Nov. 17. Luetkemeyer co-sponsored a resolution creating National Adoption Day:

“The strength of our nation is tied to the stability of our families who can provide a nurturing environment for our children to grow and succeed, and National Adoption Day provides us with a way to raise awareness about the millions of foster children in need of permanent, safe and loving homes. It is important that we work to eliminate barriers that hinder foster children from realizing their basic need of a family and remain strongly committed to providing opportunities and support for the growing number of adoptive parents in Missouri and across the nation. Additionally, we must remember the millions of children throughout the world without anyone to call family. They, too, deserve a loving home and so often American families open their homes to these innocent children, as well. As we observe National Adoption Day, I want to thank all those communities and families who have opened their homes and hearts to children in need and to all the volunteers who have donated their time and energy to make this day a success. I hope that National Adoption Day will continue to grow to include the finalizing of international adoptions and reach even more communities. Making an investment in our adoption system is a moral necessity and one that will guarantee thousands of deserving children will be welcomed into nurturing and caring families across our great nation.”