The State Capitol is a building filled with Texas history. Each portrait on the walls tells a story.

 But new pictures are moving in to the historic site, and the stories they tell might bring a tear to your eye.

 "Isn't she cute!" said volunteer Arabia Vargas while looking at a portrait of a young child.

 Vargas is helping set up the Heart Gallery in the halls of the Capitol. This is her favorite project.

 You'll see children of all ages, from all across Texas, each with their own special story.

 Vargas remembers every story. She works with these kids every day. She shared with KVUE what one 8 year old told her recently.

 "She said, I've always wanted a daddy to walk me down the aisle. We all heard that and started crying."

 The pictures of the 30 or so boys and girls represent the more than 4,100 children waiting to be adopted in Texas. There are nearly 200 in Travis County.

 These are children who have been abused or neglected... and are waiting.

"As good as the foster care system, this is not where these children should be. The state is not a good parent. We need real parents for these children," said Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

 That agency sponsors Heart Galleries throughout Texas. The hope is that someone may stop for a moment and see how much these children deserve a permanent family.

"And I know there must be lots of families who want a great child, and I hope that the heart gallery increases the chances that they match up," said Vargas.

 In the U.S., there are nearly 130,000 children waiting to be adopted.

 Each year, 19‑thousand children age‑out. They never get adopted, but they never lose hope.

"The oldest child we've had adopted has been a 17 year old ‑ so it's never too early or too late," said Vargas.

 So like the historic portraits that draw a crowd at the Capitol, volunteers hope the new photographs get the attention they deserve.

"And hopefully one of these... will touch your heart," said Vargas.