Presenter
Presented by Mr. Hertzberg
Body
WHEREAS, November is designated "National Adoption Awareness Month" to focus Americans on the many forms of adoptions; and
WHEREAS, the International Assistance Group, located just outside the City of Pittsburgh, is an accredited adoption agency that assists residents of the Pittsburgh area and other locations throughout the United States with the adoption of children primarily from Russian orphanages; and
WHEREAS, the International Assistance Group also provides humanitarian aid to the numerous children in Russian orphanages, including medications, clothing, toys, appliances, furniture, building renovations, programs to assist children after they have "graduated" from orphanages and a Physician Exchange Program; and
WHEREAS, the International Assistance Group is headed by Russian born Larisa Mason and local Pittsburgh attorney Barbara Clements; and
WHEREAS, there currently are over 134,000 children waiting to be adopted in the United States, approximately 650,000 children living in orphanages in Russia and numerous children throughout the world who deserve to be raised in loving families with parents who protect and nurture them;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that November is declared ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH in the City of Pittsburgh; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officials and staff of the International Assistance Group are recognized and congratulated by Pittsburgh City Council for providing effective and competent assistance to adoptive families and to orphanages.
SPONSORED BY: COUNCILMAN ALAN HERTZBERG