[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 5 (Monday, January 26, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM L. PIERCE

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, as cochair of the Congressional 
Coalition on Adoption, I rise today to remember the recently passed 
William L. Pierce, a man who dedicated his life to helping children. As 
founder and president of the National Council on Adoption, William 
Pierce was a leading adoption advocate who worked tirelessly to help 
formulate and promote several major adoption policies over the last 25 
years. To name a few:
  The Infant Adoption Awareness Act created the Infant Adoption 
Training Program, which trains health and pregnancy counselors in 
presenting adoption as an option for unplanned pregnancies; the Multi-
Ethnic Placement Act of 1994 reduced obstacles to many adoptions; the 
Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 promoted adoptions out of foster 
care by removing barriers to adoption and creating incentives for 
States to place more foster children with adoptive families; and the 
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 included 
provisions to permanently extend and expand the tax credit for adoption 
expenses and the employer-based adoption assistance program.
  William Pierce's consistent advocacy of pro-child adoption policies 
helped improve the lives of countless children, birthparents, and 
families. He was an outstanding husband, father, grandfather, citizen, 
advocate, and leader. I remember him today.

                          ____________________