[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16479]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          AMY U. HICKMAN, FINDING SAFE HOMES FOR OUR CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2008

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
tireless efforts of a true local hero, Amy U. Hickman, Esquire.
  A long-time Florida resident, Amy earned an Undergraduate and law 
degree from the University of Florida, then went on to intern for Judge 
Alcee Hastings, now my friend and colleague in Congress. Since then, 
Amy has made a name for herself championing adoption legislation 
improvements.
  Amy is known by her peers for her skills as a keen litigator and as 
THE go-to person for adoption cases.
  She had been an associate civil trial litigator at a prestigious 
South Florida law firm, but Amy chose to devote her career to serving 
the neediest in our community- our children.
  In 1996, Amy co-founded her own practice, with her partner Michelle 
Hausmann, to specialize in adoption placement, litigation, parental 
rights and surrogacy.
  In 2002, Amy drafted substantial revisions to Florida's adoption law 
and has successfully lobbied to help children in the Florida 
legislature.
  Amy continues to be a force for positive change. Her career is a 
testament to her devotion to children that need a home. That is why I 
nominated Amy as an ``angel in Adoption.'' Her commitment to finding 
safe homes for our kids is unparalleled. Countless children enjoy a 
caring childhood, thanks to Amy Hickman. I commend her for her service.

                          ____________________