WHEREAS, adoption is the permanency plan for approximately 1,220 children in Nevada; and

WHEREAS, nearly all of these children have special needs because of physical, mental or emotional disabilities, because they must be placed as a sibling group, because they are minorities, or because they are school aged; and

WHEREAS, these children need extra patience and support to help them overcome previous hardships; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, 354 children were placed with adoptive families in Nevada; and

WHEREAS, there are families able and willing to adopt children who have special needs; and

WHEREAS, it is important to stress that disability, low income, or unmarried status does not preclude the right to adopt; and

WHEREAS, children waiting for adoptive parents and families who have adopted these children, require and deserve community and public agency support;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as