[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7427-S7428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING BECKY WEICHHAND

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, during this season of Advent, millions 
of Americans join Christians around the world to celebrate the coming 
of Jesus Christ.
  A central tenet of Christianity is born in the belief that Jesus is 
the Light of the World.
  On December 25, we celebrate the light, the hope, and the joy our 
Lord and Savior brings into the world.
  Today, I come to the floor of the U.S. Senate to pay tribute to a 
servant of Christ who dedicated her life to bring light, hope, and joy 
to children and families around the world.
  Her name is Becky Weichhand.
  Becky blazed a trail of hope and love to spread joy to children, 
especially those awaiting adoption.
  To those who knew her best, Becky was an unconditional prayer 
warrior, who graciously shared love and loyalty to friends and 
strangers alike.
  By all accounts, Becky shared uncommon devotion in her advocacy for 
children, especially those in our Nation's foster care system.
  Since 2014, Becky served as executive director of the Congressional 
Coalition on Adoption Institute.
  Before that, she served as director of policy, where she shined light 
on the needs of children here in the United States and abroad, 
including the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Cambodia, Vietnam, 
South Korea, and Haiti.
  Since first joining the corps of dedicated professionals working to 
help the foster youth community, Becky had a plan.
  She had a plan for kids who went to bed each night praying for a 
forever home.
  She had a plan for young people who were growing up without a mom or 
dad.
  She had a plan to connect as many kids as possible with a forever 
family.
  Becky worked tirelessly to educate, organize and advocate here on 
Capitol Hill and at the grassroots.
  She devoted her life and career to making dreams come true for 
adoptive parents and their children.
  Among her priorities and achievements, I know that Becky was 
committed to growing the Foster Youth Internship Program that connects 
foster youth and congressional offices.
  The program provides opportunities for foster youth to work on 
Capitol Hill.
  Through this program, foster youth collaborate and bring real-life 
perspective to the policymaking tables.
  I have been fortunate to have an intern through this program who 
worked with my staff to help develop Federal child welfare reforms.
  They identified more effective ways to serve foster kids, including 
those who age out of the system.
  Becky also worked to grow the Angels in Adoption Program.
  It brings recognition to families who go above and beyond the call to 
action in their local communities to open their hearts and homes to 
children awaiting adoption.
  Shining light on the good deeds and unmet needs of others was her way 
of bringing light to the world.

[[Page S7428]]

  As a founder and cochair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, 
I would like to turn the spotlight on Becky's good works.
  She was driven to find a forever family for every child. She was a 
problem solver brimming with energy. Her advocacy led to important 
reforms. She believed in miracles. She made every effort to work 
miracles for children and families.
  Becky mentored foster youth and paved the way for kids to dream big. 
She gave them reason to hope that their dreams can come true.
  I extend my condolences to Becky's family, friends, and loved ones.
  At age 36, Becky lost a brave battle to cancer.
  Her legacy will live on and bring joy to countless children and moms 
and dads where it matters the most: in a forever family united through 
the blessing of adoption.
  On Saturday, December 15, a celebration of life will take place at 
the First Church of God in Becky's hometown of St. Joseph, MI.
  On this day, her loved ones will celebrate the light, joy, and hope 
she brought to this world.
  May the blessings of God's Heavenly embrace welcome Becky into her 
new forever home for life everlasting.

                          ____________________