Norton to Speak at 28th Annual Adoption Day Celebration, Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that Norton will speak at the 2014 Annual Adoption Day Celebration tomorrow, Saturday, November 22, around 10:40 a.m. at the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW. The annual event celebrates the adoptions of children in the District of Columbia and features remarks from social workers, local officials, and adopted children. At the event, a D.C. Superior Court judge will announce the new last name for each child as they are received by their new parents. Last year, Norton offered remarks to 29 adoptees and their new parents and families. This year, the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency says there are still about 100 children in the District waiting to be adopted. Norton is hopeful for these children, and commends the efforts of social workers, courts, agencies and non-profit organizations that continue to work to bring families together in the District and nationwide.

"The faith and hope of these children and their parents are inspiring," Norton said. "These children have managed to maintain a positive outlook, even though some have remained in our foster care system for years before being adopted. Celebrations like these remind the public that there are children who patiently wait for parents, and that there are children across the nation, and right here in the District, who want to grow up loved and raise families of their own one day."

National Adoption Day takes place the last Saturday before Thanksgiving each year. Visit the official site for more information.