Duncan’s Mayor proclaimed November as National Adoption Month during Tuesday night’s regularly scheduled city council meeting, noting the subject of adoption is something near and dear to his heart.
Mayor Robert Armstrong, who comes from a family deeply affected by adoption, said his grandfather was adopted along with the mayor’s own son, Alex MoMo Armstrong.
“Every November, this is one of my favorite things to do in council,” Armstrong said, telling how his son, Momo was adopted around the age of two after coming to the Armstrong family through foster care when he was about four-and-a-half months old.
“We love adoption,” Mayor Armstrong said. “It’s life changing, all the way back to my grandfather being adopted by his grandparents and Momo and his blessing to us.”
Mayor Armstrong then read the proclamation, during which he said “children are key to our community’s future success, prosperity and quality of life” and noted “all children and youth deserve a safe and loving family to help them reach their full potential.”
“Adoption creates supportive, loving families for children and youth,” Armstrong said. “We must come together as a community to celebrate Duncan’s foster families and adoptive families and raise awareness about the number of children and youth who are still waiting to be adopted.”
Armstrong pointed out that many individuals and organizations in the Duncan community dedicate their time, resources and energy to the adoption process and said he and the council are grateful for them.
“Helping children and youth in need of a permanent home find an adoptive family and secure a more promising future for that child and allows them to enter adulthood with love and a support system,” Armstrong said. “We celebrate all of the children, youth and families enriched and made whole by adoption.”
Armstrong then finished the declaration by proclaiming the month of November as National Adoption Month in Duncan. He joined community members, like Sandy Stewart and her family, for a photo.
Before the photo, Stewart showed off the national symbol for adoption, which is the smiley face. She drew a smiley face on the hand of all of those in front of the council chambers who then posed for a picture by raising their hand and holding the proclamation.
More on the Duncan City Council meeting will appear in future editions of The Duncan Banner.
