[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14791-S14792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I am appreciative of the 10 minutes 
granted to speak on a different subject. I understand that mining is an 
important issue and deserves our attention. Until it is resolved, we 
will probably be working for many days. I know that the Senior Senator 
from West Virginia feels very passionately about this issue, and other 
Members may want to add their remarks as the evening goes on, so I will 
try to be brief.
  A week from tomorrow, many of us will head home to be with our 
families and celebrate Thanksgiving. In my mind, it is extremely 
appropriate that Thanksgiving falls in this month, which many of you 
know is National Adoption Month. For like Thanksgiving, National 
Adoption Month is a time not only for celebration but also for 
reflection.
  So let me begin with some facts about adoption that people may find 
interesting in hopes that this would be something the American people 
will embrace. In 1992, the last year for which adoption statistics were 
available, there were 127,000 children adopted in the United States. 
Forty-two percent of these children were adopted by step parents or 
relatives; 15 percent of these adoptions were from foster care; 5 
percent adopted children from other countries; and 37 percent of these 
children were adopted by private agencies.
  The poster behind me is a collage of just a few of the 130,000 
legally freed children awaiting permanent families. Some of them are 
only children and some are sibling groups, some are younger children 
some are older. Although they are all different, all of these beautiful 
children are looking for someone to love and care for them and to make 
them a part of their home.
  The fact remains that there are half a million children in foster 
care. By way of comparison, allow me to refer to a hometown landmark, 
the Superdome. The Superdome has hosted several superbowls--the Saints 
have never been to one there, but other teams have. We can seat about 
80,000 people in the Superdome. To get an accurate vision of the number 
of children, picture 5 superdomes filled with children, one in every 
seat. That is a lot of children--if you think about one in each seat in 
five Superdomes--in need of homes in America.
  The average age of children in foster care is 9.5 years. The problem 
is many children spend the average of 3 years in foster care. Three 
years is too long to live without the love and security of a permanent 
family. We need to shorten that time. If a child has to be removed from 
their biological parents because of terrible, unfortunate 
circumstances, they should spend a short time in foster care and then 
be placed permanently with a loving family. Seventy percent of the 
children available for adoption and foster care are under the age of 
10. They should not spend their tender years without a home.
  True, we are making progress and we should be proud. In 1996, 28,000 
children in foster care were placed in permanent homes. It is projected 
that, in 1999, the number will be 36,000, an increase of about 30 
percent.
  In celebration of those who made this progress possible, the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption instituted a wonderful idea that we 
hope will go on year after year, The Congressional Angels In Adoption. 
We asked all of our colleagues to send in recommendations for 
individuals in their respective States and districts who had done 
something extraordinary in the area of adoption. I would like to submit 
for the Record a list of the 55 families who have been nominated and 
selected for the first 1999 Angels In Adoption Awards.
  I ask unanimous consent that this list be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                        1999 Angels in Adoption

       Freddie Mac Foundation, Virginia, Nancy Kleingartner, 
     Bismarck, North Dakota, Jeff and Earletta Morris, 
     Marshalltown, Iowa, Earl and Judy Priest, Caldwell, Idaho, 
     Dave Thomas, Dublin, Ohio, Peter and Mary Myers, Sikeston, 
     Missouri, James and Denise Jones, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 
     Fletcher Thompson & Jim Thompson, Spartanburg, South 
     Carolina, Carol McMahon, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lori and 
     Willie Johnson, Russellville, Arkansas, Candice Mueller, 
     Ewing, New Jersey, Joan McLaughlin, Morristown, New Jersey, 
     Carol Stoudt, Fargo, North Dakota, Bill and Laura Trickey, 
     Kansas City,

[[Page S14792]]

     Missouri, Tom and Debbie Ritter, Warrentown, Missouri, Debbie 
     Breden, O'Fallon, Missouri, Senator Gordon and Sharon Smith, 
     Hope Marindin, Chevy Chase, Maryland, Doreen Moreira, Cabin 
     John, Maryland, Sky Westerlund, of Lawrence, Kansas.
       Doug and Mary Spangler, Kansas City, Vivian Robinson, 
     Harrisburg, Illinois, Reverend George Coates, Eldorado, 
     Illinois, Ms. Gloria King of Oakland, California, Becky and 
     Mike Dornoff, Williamsburg, Michigan, Steve and Cherie 
     Karban, Rapid River, Michigan, James L. Gritter, Traverse 
     City, Michigan, Ms. Sidney Duncan, Detroit, Michigan, Anne 
     Pierson, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Jane Sarnes, Lexington, 
     Nebraska, Peggy Soule, Rochester, New York, Laurence and Jane 
     Leach, Raleigh County, West Virginia, Judge Gary Johnson, 
     West Virginia, Hays and Gay Town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 
     David and Jane Zatz Redmond, Washington, Dennis and Shirley 
     Smithson, Nashville, Tennessee, Anne Desiderio, Albuquerque, 
     New Mexico, Francis Ann Mobley, Daytona Beach, Florida, Kurt 
     and Stacy Stahl, Lake Oswego, Oregon, Sallie Olson, Lake 
     Oswego, Oregon.
       Ruth Ann Gaines, Des Moines, Iowa, Larry and Jackie Bebo, 
     Berthoud, Colorado, Gary Cerkvenik and Kim Stokes, Britt, 
     Minnesota, Aimee Oullette, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bill and 
     Brenda Baker, Redfield, South Dakota, Richard and Karen 
     Butler, Faith, South Dakota, Reverend Ed and Diane 
     Nesseslhuf, Vermillion, South Dakota, Debbie Hoffman, Sioux 
     Falls, South Dakota, Melvina and Louie Winters, Pine Ridge, 
     South Dakota, Geraldine Bluebird, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 
     Scott and Val Parsley, Madison, South Dakota, Mrs. Brenda 
     Edusei, Bedford, New Hampshire, Debra Klopert, St. Louis, 
     Missouri, Jessica Dennis of Rosedale, New York.

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Here are some examples from around the country. I will 
read into the Record just a few. First of all, the Congressional 
Coalition on Adoption has recognized the Freddie Mac Foundation of 
Virginia, nominated because of countless contributions to the promotion 
of adoption. In this year alone, Freddie Mac has donated millions of 
dollars to help fund programs for adoption and foster care. Their 
commitment and dedication demonstrates their unique understanding that 
there is more to a home than four walls. We thank the Freddie Mac 
Foundation for their effort.
  I will read a few more brief entries to give an example of some of 
the people that were honored. My friend, the Senior Senator from 
Arkansas, submitted a family from Russellville, Arkansas, Lori and 
Willie Johnson. In an increasingly self-absorbed world, Lori and Willie 
Johnson remind those around them of the meaning of the word 
``selfless.'' They are the proud parents of 17 children, 13 of whom are 
adopted and have special needs. Because of their love and dedication, 
these children have a family to call their own.
  From Spartanburg, South Carolina, we have selected Fletcher Thompson 
and Jim Thompson, nominated by our colleague in the House, James 
Demint. Having practiced adoption for over 25 years, they are rightly 
considered adoption experts. They place over 100 children a year. They 
practice law in a way that helps build families and brings hope to 
children and joy to parents. We thank them for their great work.
  I would also like to mention, the Angel from Idaho--since the Senior 
Senator from that State was on the floor earlier speaking about the 
important mining issue,--as Co-chair of the Congressional Coalition he 
nominated Earl and Judy Priest from Caldwell, Idaho. For over 25 years, 
the Priests have opened their hearts and home to children of all ages 
and abilities. They are parents of five children, three of whom are 
adopted. In addition, they have fostered 160 other children.
  Hays and Gay Town, from my own home State of Louisiana, founded and 
personally funded an agency that has placed over 200 children. They 
have also reached out to help young mothers in crisis.
  There are many examples, from California to New York to Louisiana to 
Michigan. There have been examples of judges, attorneys, parents who 
have adopted children, advocates in the community, agencies, who are 
really contributing to making our goal of finding a home for every 
child in America and the world a reality.
  In closing, I would like to remind my colleagues, of several pieces 
of pending legislation concerning adoption. First, we look forward to 
passing, with Senator Helms' and Senator Biden's leadership, the Hague 
Convention on Intercountry Adoption. This treaty will, for the first 
time, lay out a framework for international adoption. Mr. Chairman, as 
a lawyer and a former prosecutor, you most certainly know the 
importance of laying out a legal framework to prevent fraud and abuse, 
reduce costs and make the process easier for families adopting abroad. 
Together with Senator Abraham, I have introduced the Adoption Awareness 
Act to fund a nationwide campaign promoting adoption. Through this 
campaign, we hope to encourage potential adoptive parents to open their 
homes to a waiting child.
  Finally, we hope to be able to increase the present adoption tax 
credit from $5,000 to $10,000.
  As you can see, there is a lot of work we have to do when we come 
back. I want to take this opportunity, once again, to recognize all of 
our ``Angels in Adoption,'' and to thank my colleagues for all the good 
work they have done on this issue. I look forward to working with them 
when we return to make the reality of a permanent and loving home real 
for so many children who need it.
  Thank you.
  I yield the remainder of my time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.

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