Prince George’s Circuit Court Joins National Adoption Day Celebrations
(Annapolis, MD — November 14, 2006) The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County will celebrate National Adoption Day on Wednesday, November 15, as six children are adopted at a special event in the Prince George’s County Court House, 14735 Main St., Upper Marlboro. Celebration ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m. following formal adoption proceedings. Participants will hear from State Senator Ulysses Currie and District Judge Beverly J. Woodard, who are adoptive parents, as well as Karen Lynch, the director of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. The six adoptive children and their families will then celebrate at a luncheon hosted by the Department of Social Services.
“This is a wonderful, exciting opportunity for the court,” said Circuit Judge Melanie M. Shaw Geter, the county’s juvenile judge and one of three judges who will preside over adoptions in Prince George’s County. “This is our first year participating in National Adoption Day, and we’re happy to collaborate with the Department of Social Services, other agencies, and individuals to help children find permanent, loving homes. We’re especially pleased that a number of public officials and community organizations are helping to make this a memorable day for these families.”
Circuit Judges Steven I. Platt; Larnzell Martin, Jr.; Graydon S. McKee, III; and Melanie Shaw Geter will assist Prince George’s Circuit Administrative Judge William D. Missouri in the adoption presentation. Judge Missouri also serves as chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges and chair of the National Conference of State Trial Judges.
Pepco and the Prince George’s County chapter of Jack & Jill, a national African-American family organization, will take part in the event.
Elsewhere in the state, the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County will celebrate National Adoption Day on Thursday, November 16, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Circuit
Courts are holding special National Adoption Day activities on Saturday, November 18. In 2005, Baltimore County was the first jurisdiction in Maryland to hold a National Adoption Day celebration.
National Adoption Day is celebrated annually throughout the United States on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Last year, judges, attorneys, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies, and advocates helped to finalize the adoptions of more than 3,300 children from foster care in 45 states and the District of Columbia, and 227 events were held throughout the country to finalize adoptions and to celebrate all families who adopt.
Members of the media are invited to attend the ceremonies that follow the formal adoption proceedings. Media should call Judge Missouri’s chambers, (301) 952-3728, to arrange to attend and bring cameras. For more information about any of the events, call the Court Information Office at (410) 260-1488.
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