[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO RICK AND KATHY CLARKE

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise to honor two great 
Oklahomans, Rick and Kathy Clarke, who are in Washington, DC, for the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's annual Angels in 
Adoption Gala. I was pleased to select Rick and Kathy as 2008 Angels in 
Adoption because of their great commitment to adoption at both a 
personal and professional level.
  When Rick Clarke served for 5 years as a judge in juvenile court, 
working with abused and neglected children every day, both he and his 
wife, Kathy, formed a desire to help children who are most in need--
those without families. Today, Rick dedicates part of law practice to 
adoption cases. He serves as a volunteer attorney through Tulsa Lawyers 
for Children, as a guardian ad litem through court appointments, and is 
on the board of Heritage Family Services, a Tulsa-based adoption 
agency. Kathy has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for 
children. She also currently works on special education issues and is a 
member of the PTA.
  However, it is this family's personal story that sets it apart. The 
Clarkes have personally participated in the adoption process for 13 
years and have adopted nine children. Throughout these years, the 
Clarke family has faced tragedies, hardships, and obstacles. Yet they 
continue to grow as a family, both in number and in character.
  The Clarke's first adopted child was a 3-year-old boy from Oklahoma. 
The next two young children joined the family from Russia after being 
diagnosed with medical complications. The Clarkes later adopted three 
unrelated girls--aged 15, 13, and 8--through Oklahoma Department of 
Human Services. Lastly, they provided homes to two sisters from Liberia 
and an older boy from Ethiopia.
  The faith and perseverance of Rick and Kathy Clarke enables them to 
overcome the challenges of providing a permanent and loving home to so 
many children. Remaining steadfast in their dedication and belief that 
God has a special plan for every child, Rick and Kathy have raised each 
of their nine children to be productive, healthy, and strong leaders in 
their schools and communities.
  The Clarkes truly represent the blessings and the power of adoption. 
I am pleased to congratulate Rick and Kathy Clarke, Oklahoma's 2008 
Angels in Adoption, and to welcome them to our Nation's Capital for 
this special honor.

                          ____________________