[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26622]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       ANGELS IN ADOPTION WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 3, 2007

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate Dan and Luanne Hurst, the 2007 Angels in Adoption award 
winners from the 5th Congressional District of Florida.
  Dan and Luanne decided to adopt their first child, Matthew, while 
they were working as college professors.
  When Matthew's birth mother became pregnant again, she contacted the 
Hursts about their interest in adopting the second boy, so that the 
brothers could grow up in the same home.
  Recognizing the importance of keeping the boys together as a family, 
the Hursts soon welcomed a second son, Jesse, into their lives.
  As proud adoptive parents, the Hursts have also used their expertise 
in English education to help Matthew with the challenges of dyslexia.
  Today Luanne home schools both children while working part time 
teaching evening college classes.
  One of the most difficult challenges facing adoption agencies is to 
keep siblings together, yet people like Dan and Luanne show us that 
this is not an impossible task.
  Please join me in recognizing the Hursts and all families that 
welcome adopted children into their homes, giving them the love and 
support they need to thrive.

                          ____________________