[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 156 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S6204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Tribute to rozann Kimpton

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, every week, I have been coming to the 
floor to talk about my State and what I think makes it the greatest 
State in the country and in the world. We like to celebrate and 
recognize somebody in Alaska who is making a difference for their 
community, for the State, and for the country, and we like to call 
these extraordinary Alaskan individuals our Alaskan of the Week.
  Like many of us here in the Senate, I spent a lot of time recently in 
August traveling throughout my home State, and wherever I went, I met 
strong, generous, versatile Alaskans, many of whom survive in some of 
the harshest conditions on the planet but still have time for their 
communities and their families and their neighbors. But, like in many 
places around the country, I also saw the scourge of addiction that is 
tearing apart communities and tearing apart families.
  We have all heard how addiction is often passed down through 
generations. There are many in Alaska and many throughout the country 
who are determined to break this intergenerational cycle of addiction 
and many who are succeeding. We don't always hear about them, but there 
are many. So this afternoon I wish to introduce my colleagues to 81-
year-old Rozann Kimpton, our Alaskan of the Week, who is doing that and 
a lot more.
  Rozann and her husband moved to Alaska from Washington State in 1958, 
and they immediately settled in. They ran businesses together, 
including a small retail store, and then they got into construction and 
contracting. They raised two children. They were a team. About 10 years 
ago, they moved to a large plot of land in Wasilla, AK--over 50 acres--
to spend time in retirement, and they made plans: gardening, traveling 
around the world. But it didn't take long for Rozann to recognize that 
something was wrong--very wrong--in her family, particularly with what 
was happening to two of her great-grandchildren, Luke and Amanda. They 
were living in a situation that was harmful to them and they needed 
help.
  At this point, Rozann's husband was also suffering from his own 
illness--cancer--but the two of them took Luke and Amanda in and 
adopted them. ``It was the only way to make sure they were safe,'' 
Rozann said. ``And when a kid needs to be taken care of, and when a 
mommy and daddy can't, you do it,'' she said. ``I couldn't live with 
myself knowing that they were in danger and I did nothing.'' This is 
Rozann talking about her two great-grandkids.
  That was 10 years ago. Rozann, now a widow, lives with Amanda and 
Luke on that big plot of land in Wasilla. Amanda is a senior in high 
school, and Luke is an eighth grader. They are great kids. As a matter 
of fact, I just had the opportunity to visit with them in my office 
yesterday.
  Amanda loves geometry. She plays a violin with the Wasilla Youth 
Orchestra and drums and dances with the Intertribal Drum Group in 
Anchorage. Luke's big dream is to join the Navy, which I think is 
great.
  The three of them volunteer in their community, helping foster kids. 
Amanda makes blankets for the foster kids. Every Sunday, they drive 
over 100 miles to attend Emanuel Presbyterian Church in Anchorage, 
which is like a second home to all of them.
  In addition to all of this, Rozann is the area volunteer coordinator 
for Volunteers of America Grandfamilies, a grandparents support group. 
Once a month, she has a picnic for her fellow grandparents and other 
parents who have adopted kids. The kids play games, eat hamburgers and 
hot dogs, and adults sit around the campfire, share stories, and 
encourage one another in all the work they are doing. She is in 
constant contact with about 25 families, and whenever she spots someone 
she thinks might need help with their kids, their grandkids, or their 
great-grandkids, she gives them her card.
  ``I am not a shy person,'' she said. ``I will talk to anyone who 
looks like they are struggling, and I am particularly good at spotting 
grandparents who are raising kids''--grandparents who are raising kids 
throughout our great Nation.
  As the opioid crisis is hitting Alaska, just like it is hitting so 
many other States, she is seeing more and more grandparents stepping 
in. ``It is a plague,'' she said, ``but the most important thing is to 
help the children as early as possible, and to do what we can to make 
sure they don't carry on that plague.''
  Rozann Kimpton is here right now in Washington, DC. As I mentioned, I 
had a great meeting with her yesterday. She is here to attend a banquet 
where her efforts will be recognized. She is the 2017 recipient of the 
Alaska Angels in Adoption Award and will be recognized by the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption.
  Rozann, thank you for your warmth and for all your hard work for 
Alaska. Congratulations on your award, and congratulations on being our 
Alaskan of the Week.