Sebelius, Landrieu, McDermott to Participate in National Adoption Day Ceremony

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In honor of the 10^th anniversary of National Adoption Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will host a ceremonial adoption involving two families on Friday November 20, 2009. HHS Secretary Sebelius, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, U.S. Representative Jim McDermott and adoption advocates will attend the ceremony at HHS.

WHO:			Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary
			Mary Landrieu, United States Senator (LA)
			Jim McDermott, United States Representative (WA)
			Rita Soronen, Executive Director, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
			Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
			Joshua DuBois, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
			Joan Lombardi, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood, Administration for Children and Families, HHS
WHAT:			National Adoption Day Ceremony
WHEN:			Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 3:00 p.m. (EST)
WHERE:			HHS Auditorium
			Hubert Humphrey Building
			200 Independence Street, SW
			Washington D.C. 20201
CONTACT:			HHS Press Office
			(202) 690-6343

Over the past 10 years, more than 25,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day through the efforts of adoption advocates, policymakers, judges and lawyers.

National Adoption Day is officially observed on Saturday, November 21^st.

For more information please visit: www.NationalAdoptionDay.org