[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING DR. LINDA PENDERGAST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2004

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Linda Pendergast 
from Baton Rouge, Louisiana--my nominee for the 2004 Angels in Adoption 
Award.
  Dr. Pendergast is a reunited birthmother who has devoted a large part 
of her life in volunteer service to the adoption community of 
Louisiana. As a member of the Catholic Community Services Adoption 
Advisory Board, she has provided prenatal education and support to 
pregnant teens in residence at Sanctuary House, a ministry of Catholic 
Services in Baton Rouge. She also has conducted behavioral/temperament 
assessments of infants placed for adoption through Catholic Community 
Services as a post-adoption strategy to foster family cohesiveness, 
parental satisfaction with the parenting role and optimal infant 
development.
  Dr. Pendergast is a coordinator and facilitator of a search and 
support group for adult adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents. 
She also serves as an advisor to Louisiana Adoption Advocates--a 
legislative group dedicated to adoption reform. A member of the 
Louisiana Adoption Advisory Bd. Inc., Dr. Pendergast has served 4 years 
as Board secretary and is in her second term as Vice Chair in addition 
to numerous other involvements in scholarship and volunteer programs.
  Her fight for Louisiana's children is a personal one. The happiness 
of her reunited family is a bright example of her commitment. It is 
individuals like Dr. Pendergast and her colleagues on the Louisiana 
Adoption Advisory Board who are truly making a difference in our 
communities.
  This week the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is 
honoring Linda and hundreds of devoted volunteers like her in 
ceremonies in Washington, DC. I am proud to honor Dr. Pendergast as one 
of Louisiana's Angels in Adoption.

                          ____________________