Whereas, There is nothing more precious to Michigan than the growth and development of our youth, who will determine the future direction of our state; and,

Whereas, In this state, 14,000 children live away from their birth families in substitute care; and,

Whereas, More than 6,000 children cannot return to their birth families and need the security and encouragement that a permanent family can provide; and,

Whereas, Adoption is a permanent plan for 4,000 of these children; and,

Whereas, Nearly all of these children have special needs as a result of physical, mental, or emotional impairments, needing to be placed with siblings,   or with families of a specific minority status or age group; and,

Whereas, In 2004, 2,684 children with special needs achieved finalized adoption in our Great Lakes State; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 2005, as Adoption Month in Michigan.