WASHINGTON, February 17, 2012 — Last Wednesday the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an important resolution authored by U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., which supports local, state, federal and international efforts that work to safeguard and promote the right of every child to a permanent family.
Senator Landrieu, a longtime child advocate, took the occasion of Valentine’s Day to underscore the importance of the family unit and a loving home for all children.
“Every child has a right to be cared for within a safe and permanent family. The first call I made this morning was to my husband and kids to wish them a happy Valentine’s Day. But sadly there are millions of children today who may not receive a call or valentine from a parent because they are orphans,” she said. “The love between a parent and a child is irreplaceable. This resolution states that this Senate firmly shares this belief. Without the love and attention of a protective parent, children can become withdrawn, experience developmental delays and show signs of extreme and toxic stress.”
Senator Landrieu’s assertion is backed up by a multitude of studies, including The American Academy of Pediatricians and results of the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, which found that institutional care can be harmful for children, especially young children. These studies verify that children raised in institutions often experience developmental delays and show signs of traumatic stress.
This isn’t just a problem for children overseas. In the United States, approximately 408,000 children reside in the foster care system and 107,000 of those children are eligible for adoption.
“Amidst all the Valentine’s Day excitement, let’s not forget that thousands of children domestically and millions of children worldwide are deprived of the basic right to be loved in a protective family,” Sen. Landrieu said.
Below is a video of Sen. Landrieu’s speech.
Andrea is an adoptive mother and a journalist. She is at work on a book, "The Red Thread," a collection of stories told by families united through adoption. She is also owner of Media Branding International, a public relations/media consulting firm. She is the editor of Food & Travel in The Communities at The Washington Times.
Read more The Red Thread in The Communities at The Washington Times.
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