[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 121 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9030-S9031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                           ANGELS IN ADOPTION

 Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize the individuals, organizations, and families 
who open their hearts to adoptive children. Children around the world, 
in Cambodia, in Romania, and in our own country wait desperately for 
families to care and provide for them. The parents who adopt these 
needy children turn their lives around and offer them a brighter future 
filled with love and hope.
  As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I would like 
to recognize the efforts of parents, adoption agencies, support groups 
and other individuals whose dedication to adoption makes a difference 
in the lives of children. Adoption provides countless children with 
stable homes, caring families and loving supportive parents. In 
particular, I would like to honor Dennis and Debbie Sparrow of Saint 
Louis, Missouri. This year, I have nominated the Sparrows as ``Angels 
in Adoption'' for their hard work and dedication to adoptive children 
from Romania. The ``Angels in Adoption'' award is presented by the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption to recognize those who enrich the 
lives of adoptive children.
  Dennis and Debbie Sparrow adopted their first child from Romania in 
1991. During the adoption process, the Sparrows saw firsthand how many 
of the children in orphanages are destined for a life of poverty and 
hardship. Upon their return, Dennis and Debbie started two 
organizations to benefit the children they saw in Romania. S.E.E.K., 
Save Eastern Europe's Kids, collects donations for Romanian orphans and 
their caregivers. S.E.E.K. International, a non-profit adoption agency, 
assists prospective parents and children through the adoption process. 
In addition to helping over 100 children find loving homes, the 
Sparrows have personally adopted five children.
  The Sparrows' exemplary work demonstrates that individuals can make a 
great difference. They have provided invaluable resources and support 
to other families wishing to bring Romanian children into their lives. 
They have raised money to assist in the care

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of these children. They have established two adoption placement centers 
in Romania. Moreover, they have inspired others to open their hearts 
and homes to the orphaned children of Romania.
  I want to applaud Dennis and Debbie Sparrow for their devotion to 
helping adoptive parents and children. These ``Angels in Adoption'' 
have not only made a difference in hundreds of young lives, but they 
have also raised the awareness of the benefits of adoption. The hard 
work of these angels is an inspiration to others and a blessing to the 
children whose lives they have touched.

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