VOA常速英语2007年-President, Mrs. Bush Mark Adoption Day

By Scott Stearns
White House
16 November 2007

The President and Mrs. Bush are encouraging more people to adopt children. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, they marked America's National Adoption¹ Day with a ceremony at the White House.

More than 100,000 American children are currently in foster care, and they wait an average of three years to find a family willing to adopt them.

Marking National Adoption Day, President Bush thanked the child welfare agencies and adoption advocates who work to match children with new families.

"Few missions in life are more rewarding than uniting loving children with moms and dads for the very first time," said Mr. Bush.

The president welcomed adopted children to the East Room of the White House, children who he says have strengthened families, enriched communities, and warmed hearts.

"You are the living reminders² that adoptions³ are stories of celebration, stories of hope, and stories of love. National Adoption Day also reminds us that not every child finds this happy family," he added.

While four of every ten American families say they have considered adoption, far fewer follow through. First Lady Laura Bush says that if one in every 500 families adopted children from foster care, every child would have a home.

"Adoption is a hopeful act. It recognizes that every child has limitless potential for success and limitless capacity for love. It is an act that has brought joy to millions of American families, including ours," she noted⁴.

The President and Mrs. Bush are the adoptive uncle and aunt of a niece and nephew.

1 adoption   

n.采用，采纳，通过；收养

参考例句：

• An adoption agency had sent the boys to two different families.一个收养机构把他们送给两个不同的家庭。
• The adoption of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden.采取这一政策会给他们解除一个巨大的负担。

2 reminders   

n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 )；提醒…的东西；（告知该做某事的）通知单；提示信

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• The strike has delayed the mailing of tax reminders. 罢工耽搁了催税单的投寄。

3 adoptions   

n.采用，收养( adoption的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Adoption agencies are always so open to alternative family adoptions. 领养中介机构永远都对领养家庭敞开。 来自电影对白
• The number of adoptions has grown in the past year. 去年，收养子女的数字增加了。 来自互联网

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。