[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 120 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RYAN AND AMBER JOHNSON

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Ryan and 
Amber Johnson of Sioux Falls, SD, as my nominees for the 2012 Angels in 
Adoption Award. Since 1999, the Angels in Adoption program through the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institution has honored more than 
1,800 individuals, couples, and organizations nationwide for their work 
in providing children with loving, stable homes.
  After being married for only a short time, Ryan and Amber Johnson 
began to consider expanding their family. After overcoming initial 
personal setbacks, the Johnson family decided to open their home to 
children in need by becoming foster parents. The couple quickly 
accepted the opportunity to become long-term foster parents of three 
siblings between the ages of 7 months and 6 years, and later, the 
Johnsons provided a temporary, loving home for a 4-year-old foster 
child. The Johnsons were soon blessed again with two Native American 
half-brothers as foster children. It quickly became evident to Ryan and 
Amber how wonderful the addition of these two boys was to their family. 
Shortly after, Ryan and Amber adopted Lukias, age 3, and are in the 
process of finalizing the adoption of his younger brother. During the 
adoption process, the Johnson family learned that they were pregnant, 
and on May 1, 2011, welcomed their newest family member, Sophia. The 
young family now consists of 3 siblings, ages 1, 2, and 3.
  Foster homes regularly see children come and go, staying for varying 
lengths of time. The changing environment often places an emotional 
toll on the caregivers who develop deep, personal relationships with 
their foster children. Despite the challenges that foster parents face, 
the Johnsons have used their life lessons to create a warm, loving home 
for children in need of a nurturing environment to grow and develop. 
Ryan and Amber plan to continue taking in foster children and possibly 
even expand their family by giving other children a place to call home.
  National Adoption Day is around the corner, and it is important to 
recognize the compassionate families who bring joy to the lives of 
children as foster and adoptive parents. It brings me great pride to be 
able to honor South Dakotans Ryan and Amber Johnson, my nominees for 
the 2012 Angels in Adoption Award.

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