Adoption touches the lives of everyone involved. It provides a safe and loving home for a child who might not otherwise have one. For these children, the blessing of a caring family brings a whole new meaning and stability to their lives.

While many people are aware of what adoption is, few are familiar with how the process works. It’s a topic that may not come up in our day to day lives very often, but whether we realize it or not, many of us know someone whose life has been fundamentally changed by adoption.

The presence of caring parents means everything to a child’s development. It’s a father to play catch with in the backyard or a mother to help with difficult homework. A foster child’s opportunity for a good education and a stable future dramatically increases when they find the right family.

A recent study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reveals the rate of adoptions has slightly dropped throughout the past decade, with the most recent data showing nearly 136,000 children adopted nationwide in 2008.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher, Patricia Hill, commented, “For the most part, our culture is very supportive of adoption. It is a positive and giving and loving thing to do – but it's also very tough.”

As a mother of three sons, I am well aware of the challenges of parenting. Adoptive parents take on these same challenges. Parenthood is full of joys and frustrations, but the reward of raising a child is unmatched.

Adoption can also save lives. Unplanned pregnancies, especially at a young age, can be distressing and chaotic. If the birth mother does not have strong family support or is simply unable and unprepared to care for a child, the options are few. By increasing access to information about adoption, we can deter abortion as a hasty option of last resort.

Unfortunately, many family planning organizations do not offer adequate information about adoption. It is critical that these organizations are able to provide birth and adoptive parents with all options available to them so that individuals can make fully informed decisions.

Last month in the Senate, I introduced a bill that would ensure family planning services and projects effectively promote information about adoption. This legislation would require any of these groups that receive federal funding to provide assurances to Health and Human Services regarding their plan to issue adoption promotion literature.

In addition to this bill, I also cosponsored a Senate resolution that promotes national awareness of adoption and children awaiting families. If we can highlight the benefits of adoption, we can open the doors for children to join families that are looking to provide them with a long-term home.

Another way we can promote adoption is to recognize the efforts of those involved in connecting adoptive parents and children.

The Angels in Adoption program advocates adoption issues and allows members of Congress to honor constituents for exemplary support for adoption. This year, I’m proud to have nominated Skip and Kim Hanson as Angels in Adoption.

The Hansons have made themselves a valuable resource for families in Nebraska. They provide information to prospective adoptive families and have even opened up their own home so that local adoptees can connect to form lasting friendships and support systems. Their contributions have shaped the lives of numerous children who are now growing up in healthy homes.

Like her mother, Kim, the Hanson’s youngest daughter was adopted from Korea. She is just one of countless adoption success stories that remind us of the immeasurable good that comes from bringing a wonderful child into your family.

For more information about adoption opportunities in Nebraska, please visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ website (http://dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/Pages/adoption.aspx).

Thank you for participating in the democratic process, and I’ll visit with you again next week.