-- More than 40 adoptions will be finalized at the 20th Annual Adoption Day ceremony --    

The DC Superior Court and the DC Child and Family Services Agency will co-host the 20th Annual Adoption Day in Court on Saturday, November 18, 2006.  The ceremony is designed to celebrate the joy of adoption and encourage area residents to consider adopting or fostering a child.  Over 300 children in DC are in foster care, awaiting adoption . 
 
More than 40 actual adoptions will be finalized at this year’s ceremony and adoption decrees will be signed before the audience, as the children and their new families come forward.  Each child will be introduced to the audience by emcee Barbara Harrison, local news anchor.  Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), an adoptive parent and sponsor of the DC Family Court Act, will be the keynote speaker.   
 
WHAT: Adoption Day in Court Celebration  

WHERE: Moultrie Courthouse 3rd Floor Atrium - 500 Indiana Avenue, NW    

WHEN: Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon  

WHO: Superior Court Chief Judge Rufus G. King, III  

Family Court Presiding Judge Anita Josey-Herring  

Senator Mary Landrieu   

Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty 
 
 
CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED IN TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR THIS EVENT AND THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON PHOTOGRAPHS OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. 
 
INTERVIEWS:  Several families will be available before, during and after the ceremony for press to interview.  All 244 children adopted in DC in the past year - and their families - have been invited to the ceremony and celebration.  

In addition, judges will be available for interview, including several who are adoptive parents themselves, and one who was a foster child. 
 
Following the ceremony, refreshments will be provided, as well as entertainment by the Metropolitan Police Department band. 
 
[Note: Those interested in finding out more about becoming an adoptive or foster parent are urged to call 202/671-LOVE, the CFSA adoption hotline.] 
 
Members of the public are encouraged to attend.