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

Whereas, Thousands of these children cannot return to their birth families and need the security and encouragement that a permanent family can provide; and,

Whereas, Adoption is a permanency plan for most of these children; and,

Whereas, In 2002, 2,833 children with special needs achieved finalized adoption with families in our Great Lakes State; and,

Whereas, Children waiting for adoptive parents, and families require and deserve community and public agency support; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November, 2003, as Adoption Month in Michigan.