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Guest Commentary November 22, 2001
Many Children Would Be Thankful for a Loving Home
The Honorable Deborah Pryce
As we enjoy Thanksgiving we are reminded of all our blessings. Many give thanks for their families -– for the love of parents, brothers, sisters and children. Many give thanks for their homes -– where they feel safe. There are, however, many children this Thanksgiving who do not have parents and siblings to care for them and who do not have a home.
More than 134,000 children in the United States are currently waiting to be adopted. These kids need families who love them. They need homes that are permanent and offer the feelings of safety and security that every child deserves.
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The good news is that there have been increases in adoptions in recent years. Each year, American families adopt approximately 120,000 babies and children. In Ohio, in the year 2000 there were approximately 1800 adoptions. However, with every child who gets adopted there is another still waiting for his or her own family.
President Bush has proclaimed November 2001 as National Adoption Month in order to highlight adoption programs, to honor adoptive families and to encourage participation in efforts to find permanent homes for children who are waiting.
The Bush administration is working to help states promote and support adoptions. This year, several states, including Ohio, received adoption incentive awards for increasing the number of children they placed from foster care into permanent homes. States reinvested these bonuses to enhance their adoption and child welfare programs, which has resulted in an increase in adoptions.
In Congress, I have been a strong proponent of making it easier and more feasible for parents who wish to open their hearts and their homes to children. One way is to ease the financial burden associated with adoption. The "Hope for Children Act," which was signed by the President this year as part of the larger tax relief package, makes big strides in helping parents with the financial aspects of adoption by offering an adoption tax credit.
Adoption is first and foremost a matter of the heart, but the reality is that is can also be very costly for families, ranging from $8,000 to $30,000 per adoption depending upon the circumstances. That is why we made permanent and increased the adoption tax credit from $5,000 to $10,000 for qualified expenses, and raised the tax credit for special needs adoptions from $6,000 to $10,000, regardless of expenses, helping meet the unique needs of special-needs adoptions. Federal, state and local governments should continue to assist parents who adopt, but community organizations and citizens must also be part of this effort.
As we sit down for our Thanksgiving meals this year and we fold our hands in prayer and thanks, remember little hands need big hands to hold them, to guide them, and then to let go when they have reached their full potential. An opportunity to be a part of that is something to be truly thankful for.
Deborah Pryce is a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (R-Ohio) and writes an occasional column. The above has been adapted from her column of November 2001. To contact her, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
