National Adoption Month, 2004

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Part V

The President

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Proclamation 7838--National Adoption Month, 2004

Proclamation 7839--National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, 2004

Proclamation 7840--National American Indian Heritage Month, 2004

Proclamation 7841--National Diabetes Month, 2004

Proclamation 7842--National Family Caregivers Month, 2004

Proclamation 7843--National Hospice Month, 2004

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7838 of November 4, 2004

National Adoption Month, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

By deciding to share their hearts and homes with a
child, adoptive parents demonstrate great compassion
and receive many blessings in return. During National
Adoption Month, we recognize the generosity of adoptive
and foster families who are providing hope and love,
and we encourage the adoption of children of all ages.

In 2002, I signed the Promoting Safe and Stable
Families legislation that supports families and
promotes adoption, and last December I signed the
Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 to increase incentives
to adopt older children. We have raised the adoption
tax credit to $10,000 per child and created the
AdoptUSKids website that has joined thousands of
children with adoptive parents. We are working hard to
place more children from foster care to permanent
homes. This year, on November 20, communities from all
50 States and the District of Columbia will celebrate
National Adoption Day by finalizing the adoption of
thousands of children by loving families. And each one
of those families will be enriched by the addition of
new members. By bringing care and hope into other
lives, individuals can fill their own lives with
greater purpose.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 2004 as National
Adoption Month. I call on all Americans to observe this
month with appropriate programs and activities to honor
adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find
permanent homes for waiting children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand four, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B