[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 40 (Friday, March 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             TEXAS COUPLE NAMED FOSTER PARENTS OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 3, 1995
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to pay 
tribute to two outstanding citizens who visited the Capitol this week 
from the Fourth District of Texas. They are Joe and Pattie Laroche of 
Denison, who were recently named by the Child Welfare League as Foster 
Parents of the Year for the Southern States.
  The Laroches have been licensed foster parents for more than 5 years. 
During that time they have cared for more than 30 children, ranging 
from newborns to those up to 12 years of age. They have three children 
of their own--Sarah, Bethany, and Christina, two of which--Christina 
and Bethany--they adopted. Children who have been under the care of the 
Laroches have stayed with them anywhere from 1 night to 5 months. The 
longest stay for a child has been 2 years.
  The Laroches were previously honored as Grayson County Foster Parents 
of the Year, by the Texas Department of Human Services and as the State 
Foster Parents of the Year by the Texas Council of Child Welfare 
Boards. They were recommended for the awards by Gwen Henderson, Foster 
Home Developer for the Texas Department of Human Services for Grayson 
County.
  The Laroches described the recognition as humbling and said that 
being foster parents is a learning experience that has great rewards. 
They recognize the need for more foster parents but realize that many 
people are fearful of trying.
  Being a foster parent to a child is a special calling that deserves 
our respect and our gratitude. It requires a generous and selfless 
spirit, and often much patience and understanding. Good foster parents 
like the Laroches have a lasting impact on the lives of foster 
children, who like all children, need affection and attention and need 
to feel a sense of well-being.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute today to Joe and Patti Laroche 
and to all those who serve as foster parents across America. These 
foster parents devote their lives to help make life better for our 
children in need. I am particularly proud to have the Laroches as my 
constituents and wish them much success as they continue to serve 
foster children in Grayson County. I admire their dedication and 
commitment to this cause and salute their good work.


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