Urging the United States Congress to pass the Every Child Deserves a Family Act and recognizing November 21, 2015 as National Adoption Day in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, November 21, 2015 has been designated National Adoption Day to raise awareness that more than 100,000 children in the foster care system are waiting to find permanent families. This day will honor those who have opened their hearts and their homes to children in care and encourage others to do the same; and

WHEREAS, More than 5,700 children in the City of Philadelphia are currently in the foster care system and are in need of a permanent home; and

WHEREAS, Adopted children are much more likely to finish high school and continue on to higher learning institutions. Youth who “age out” of the foster care system are at a high risk for poverty, homelessness, incarceration, and early parenthood

; and

WHEREAS, The Every Child Deserves a Family Act (H.R. 2449), introduced in Congress and currently awaiting review in the House Committee on Ways and Means, would prohibit adoption or foster care placement service entities from delaying or denying a person’s opportunity to become a prospective adoptive parent based on the person’s sexual orientation, gender-identity, or marital status.

It will offer more children the chance to live with stable and loving families

; and

WHEREAS,

Although the City of Philadelphia already has a non-discrimination policy concerning sexual preference, gender-identity or marital status for potential adoptive parents, other parts of the country are suffering. It is in the best interest of children in the foster care system to prohibit the discrimination of prospective adoptive or foster parents based on sexual orientation. The federal government has a responsibility to remove any barriers that will delay or deny a child from connecting with responsible parents and a compassionate home; and

WHEREAS, National Adoption Day on November 21st

highlights that one in five children will soon be emancipated from the foster care system

; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes November 21, 2015 as National Adoption Day in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That we hereby urge the United States Congress to pass the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. It is time for our federal law to reflect the equality of same-sex parents in their ability to successfully and compassionately raise a child.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the House Committee on Ways on Means and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, sponsor of the Senate’s companion bill, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End