[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17436]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           ANGELS OF ADOPTION

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, later this month, the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption will host a gala to honor 
individuals from across the country that have contributed greatly to 
programs that strive to keep our most vulnerable children safe and 
healthy in permanent homes.
  I am proud to be a member of the Congressional Coalition and this 
event marks a true celebration for individuals we call Angels of 
Adoption. The Angel of Adoption awards recognize individuals who are 
dedicated to the welfare of children. It should be noted that our 
``Angels'' often forgo lucrative positions in law firms and other 
private sector work because of their commitment to provide legal 
protection for thousands of children.
  This year I am delighted to honor Mary Ellen Griffith as our West 
Virginia Angel of Adoption. Mary Ellen Griffith is the founder and past 
director of ChildLaw Services in Princeton, WV. Ms. Griffith has 
earnestly provided policy and legal advocacy for West Virginia children 
during her tenure as a legal service lawyer. Her direct representation 
of children has been complimented by faculty appointments to university 
programs where she has lectured on topics such as family law, 
guardianship, and custody issues. She certainly is well prepared for 
her recent appointment as a family law judge. Her work on the bench 
will offer the court the high level knowledge, experience and 
sensitivity required to safeguard the well-being of children.
  I am well aware that the essential efforts of the courts can go 
unrecognized. But I maintain a very high regard for the courts because 
they regularly play a vital role in adoption and child protection. That 
is why I introduced the We Care Kids Act with Senator Mike DeWine of 
Ohio last year, and was proud when it was incorporated into the law 
earlier this year. This act now gives our local courts the necessary 
resources and training through Federal grants issued by the Department 
of Health and Human Services.
  Dedicated judges like Mary Ellen Griffith will play a pivotal role in 
prompting adoptions and working to ensure that our most vulnerable 
children are safe, healthy and have a permanent home.

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