[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WEST VIRGINIA ANGELS IN ADOPTION

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today I honor the love and 
commitment exhibited by two of my fellow West Virginians, Jeff and Amy 
Dunford of Spanishburg, my 2008 nominees as West Virginia's Angels in 
Adoption. I have participated in this program by the Congressional 
Caucus on Adoption since its inception, and I am proud to talk about 
this year's West Virginia family.
  In 2003, Jeff and Amy made the wonderful decision to become foster 
parents. They, like many caring West Virginia families, opened up their 
home and created a loving environment for children in need of such a 
place.
  The Dunfords started with a sibling group, and by the spring of 2005, 
the Dunfords have successfully adopted three children, all the while 
continuing to provide both a short-term and long-term home for 
additional foster children. In fact, it was not long after the adoption 
process was completed that another sibling group was placed in the 
Dunford home. These three boys, all under the age of 3, would also be 
adopted by the Dunfords.
  Being a foster and adoptive family always has its challenges, as well 
as its unique rewards. Taking care of young children often means 
sleepless nights, unexpected emergency room visits, and countless 
parent-teacher conferences. They were also faced with situations unique 
to foster families, including biological parent visits and counseling 
sessions. Through it all, the Dunfords faced these challenges with love 
and determination and now six children have a permanent and loving 
home.
  Today, the Dunford family consists of Jeff and Amy, Jeremy, Walter, 
Holly, Richard, Greg, and Christopher. Jeff and Amy continue to be 
active in the foster care system, providing assistance with recruitment 
and training.
  Jeff and Amy are a testament to the wonderful men and women involved 
in foster care and adoption services. Throughout my Senate career and 
as a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I have worked 
hard in a bipartisan manner to expand and support adoptive and foster 
parents. Over the years, progress has been made, and since the 1997 
Adoption and Safe Family Act which I fought for, adoptions for foster 
care have doubled--a true sign of success. But with over 100,000 
children still in foster care and waiting to be adopted, there is more 
to do.
  This year, I am working with a bipartisan coalition to expand the 
adoption incentives program, improve adoption assistance and on 
programs enhancing foster care. As important as policy can be, the true 
heroes are the parents like the Dunfords, who have selflessly opened up 
their home to vulnerable children. I hope their story, and the stories 
of all this year's Angels in Adoption, will inspire my colleagues and 
families nationwide to promote adoption and other supports for 
vulnerable children.

                          ____________________