SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 83
(By Senators Snyder, Tomblin, Mr. President, Chafin, Helmick,
Plymale, Kessler, Prezioso, Deem, Harrison, Bowman, Edgell,
Unger, Caldwell, McCabe, White, Boley, Guills, Sprouse, Minear,
Fanning, Rowe, Jenkins, Minard, Sharpe, Ross, Weeks, Smith,
Dempsey, Love, Facemyer, Hunter, McKenzie, Oliverio and Bailey)
Designating the second full week of February, 2005, and every year
thereafter, as West Virginia Adoption Week.
Whereas, Historically, orphaned and abandoned children were
provided for by the church which recognized the responsibility of
the community for these children and raised the necessary funds
from their congregations. This later led to the establishment of
orphanages; and
Whereas, In the early 17th century, the English government
began to provide for these children and often placed them in
institutions known as workhouses. In the 18th century, in an
effort to move away from abusive workhouses, the government
established separate residential schools for the housing and
instruction of orphans; and
Whereas, In the United States during the 19th century, most
orphanages were supported by private child welfare agencies; and
Whereas, In the second half of the 20th century, the
government took the responsibility for these orphaned or abandoned children, as well as children who had been abused or neglected or
who had behavioral or emotional problems; and
Whereas, The latest available statistics disclose that there
are 542,000 children in foster care in this country, with 48
percent of these children in nonrelative foster care; and
Whereas, Adoption offers the blessing of making a childless
couple into a loving family; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby designates the second full week of
February, 2005, and every year thereafter, as West Virginia
Adoption Week; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby urges all
citizens to become familiar with the process of the Department of
Health and Human Resources with regard to adoption; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Paul L. Nusbaum,
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
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