[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MY ANGELS IN ADOPTION: ANTONIO AND MARTHA GOMEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2004

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two residents of 
my Congressional District, Antonio and Martha Gomez, who I have 
selected as my nominees for the sixth annual Angels in Adoption Award.
  The Awards are an opportunity to honor dedicated constituents for 
their efforts in helping children, as well as an opportunity to raise 
awareness about adoption. Members of Congress are asked by the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute to select an individual, 
couple or organization from their district who has made a difference in 
the lives of children, either through adoption, foster care or child 
welfare advocacy.
  I selected Antonio and Martha as my Angels in Adoption because for 
the past eight years, they have provided a safe and loving home to a 
dozen foster children, ranging in age from 2 weeks to eighteen years. 
Their entry into the world of foster parenting was inspired by their 
daughter who had a friend who was a foster child. Because of her 
interest, Antonio and Martha decided to become foster parents, and they 
have never looked back.
  Two years ago, they adopted one of their foster children who is now a 
happy five-year old who loves and is loved by his family, including the 
biological children of his parents--his 16 year old brother and 23 year 
old sister.
  Besides being a foster parent and adoptive parent, Antonio has served 
as President of the Imperial Valley Foster Parents Association, and he 
is currently serving as Facilitator, arranging weekly training meetings 
for the foster parents in Imperial County, California. Martha is now 
President of the Association which works in cooperation with Imperial 
Valley College and the State Department of Social Services.
  A celebratory banquet is being held tomorrow evening, Thursday, 
September 23rd, to honor all the nominated Angels in Adoption. 
Attending the celebration will be actress Jane Seymour, PGA golfer Kirk 
Triplett, and General Manager and Senior Vice President of the Orlando 
Magic, Pat Williams. My Angels, Antonio and Martha, will be joining me 
in attending the banquet, with travel arrangements the courtesy of 
Southwest Airlines and Pardee Construction Company.
  I am sincerely proud of Antonio and Martha, because they have given 
of themselves for the benefit of the lives of so many children. Through 
their example, they are an inspiration to other foster and adoptive 
parents in the community in which they live.
  It is an honor to recognize their significant contributions and to 
designate them as my Angels in Adoption.

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