[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 117 (Monday, September 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF DR. AMANDA BADEN, 2005 ANGEL IN ADOPTION

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                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 2005

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary woman, Dr. Amanda Baden, who is an outstanding example of 
someone who has made a critical difference in the lives of children 
through work on adoption issues. Dr. Baden, a Licensed Psychologist and 
Assistant Professor at Montclair State College, is my congressional 
district's Angel in Adoption. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the 
gala honoring her, so I hope to honor her now.
  Dr. Baden's commitment to adoption issues is rooted in her own 
history: She was born in Hong Kong and adopted as an infant by a couple 
from New York. She has used her personal experience to advance the 
understanding of trans-racial adoption by academics and professionals. 
Her contributions to the adoption community have touched many lives.
  Through her passion and determination, she has actively engaged and 
educated professionals in the adoption process. She co-developed the 
Cultural-Racial Identity Model, which has gained recognition for its 
value as an alternative means for considering the identity paths for 
transracial adoptees. Dr. Baden, along with Mary O'Leary Wiley, 
recently published a journal article pertaining to birth parent issues 
in The Counseling Psychologist. She was also part of the writing team 
that published the ``Outstanding Major Contribution'' in The Counseling 
Psychologist on adoption issues in 2003. She has lectured regionally 
and nationally and she has co-chaired the series of adoption-related 
conferences at St. John's University in New York City. She has 
conducted numerous workshops about the psychology of adoption for 
professionals, families, and adoptees of all ages. I look forward to 
her soon-to-be-published work, The Handbook of Adoption, which I 
believe will become a singular reference for families interested in 
adoption.
  In addition, Dr. Baden gives freely of her time to many organizations 
involved in adoption. She is a consultant and board member to both the 
Korean Adoptee and Adoptive Family Network (KAAN) and the Families with 
Children from China of Greater New York (FCCNY). She also contributes 
her time to International Adoption Alliance and the Children's Aid and 
Family Services organizations in New Jersey. Dr. Baden has even found 
time to initiate and lead a peer-support group for professionals 
dealing with issues of adoption in their own fields.
  Dr. Baden is highly recommended by her peers in the academic world 
and by those in the adoption field. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree 
in Psychology from Penn State University, a Master of Education in 
Counseling from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in counseling 
psychology from Michigan State University. I invite you to visit her 
website www.transracialadoption.net to learn more about her work and 
adoption issues.
  Dr. Amanda Baden is a remarkable individual who has set an example of 
passion and commitment we should all strive to achieve.

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