[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20338]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING JAMES AND VIRGINIA LAWRENCE, 2005 ANGELS IN ADOPTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2005

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to 
recognize and pay tribute to this year's Angels in Adoption awardees 
from the Fifth District of Tennessee--James and Virginia Lawrence. This 
honor is given by the Congressional Coalition in Adoption to 
extraordinary individuals, like the Lawrences, who have made a 
tremendous difference in the lives of foster children.
  In 1992, after raising four biological children, James and Virginia 
Lawrence welcomed into their home their first foster child. Little did 
they know that this decision would be the first step in what would 
become a life-long commitment to helping needy children. Over the last 
twelve years, the Lawrences have tirelessly devoted their lives to 
caring for, loving, and supporting more than 200 children who have come 
into their home through Tennessee's foster care system.
  The Lawrences stand out as foster parents for two reasons: their 
absolute devotion to the children who come into their home, and their 
tireless work to reunite children with their birth parents. According 
to Mrs. Lawrence, many of the birth parents ``needed parenting 
themselves. We taught many of them how to be parents, by providing 
counsel, offering advice and by our example.'' Whenever it became clear 
that returning to a birth parent was not a good option for one of their 
foster children, the Lawrences knew what to do--they simply adopted the 
child. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have extended their loving family by 
adopting Alisa, now 24, Peggy, 21 and Shelby, 18.
  Mr. Lawrence said that, before retiring from the city's police force, 
he was greatly affected by the many children taken from their families. 
That experience moved him and his wife to open their home to children 
in need of a healthy, secure home environment. He added that, ``helping 
children has been a blessing for him and his wife as well.'' Virginia 
Lawrence said that, ``having the kids around keeps your heart beating 
another day.'' She continues to teach the four foster children 
currently in their home the independent living skills they'll need to 
build a promising and rewarding life.
  The Lawrence's big hearts, patience and devotion is evidenced by the 
countless number of children they have reached out to over the years; 
and in their willingness to continue opening their doors to young 
people in need of a warm, secure and loving home.
  On behalf of the Fifth District of Tennessee, I congratulate and 
thank the Lawrences for setting a wonderful example of what it means to 
make a difference in the community and in the lives of our most 
vulnerable children. I hope we'll all reflect on the Lawrence's model 
``of ordinary people, doing extraordinary things'' as we reach out to 
help those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

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