[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14603]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JAY AND MARY SAUNDERS

 Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, each year, I have the honor of 
recognizing outstanding parents who have chosen to adopt as Angels in 
Adoption. I am continually inspired by the number of families in 
Nebraska who have selflessly and lovingly opened their hearts to 
children without a permanent place to call home. Selecting just one 
family is always a difficult task, but this year Jay and Mary Saunders 
of Bellevue stood out from the others. I am pleased to announce Jay and 
Mary Saunders of Bellevue as 2014 ``Angels in Adoption.''
  The Saunders have one biological son and have adopted six children: 
Nick, Ian, Nathan, Haylee, Mara, Christian, and Kevin. Nick, the 
eldest, is their biological child and born with special needs. 
Providing his specialized care moved the Saunders to open their home 
and hearts to adopting other children with disabilities.
  Mary always knew she was meant to adopt and have a big family. When 
Nick was 4, 2-year-old Ian entered their lives. He suffered from 
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD. But the moment they 
laid eyes on Ian, the Saunders knew he was meant to be part of their 
growing family.
  Mara was adopted soon afterward. When she came to the Saunders 
through a private adoption, she required special needs that resulted 
from abuse she previously suffered. Today, Mary calls Mara her ``lifes 
work'' and ``little guru.''
  It wasn't long before siblings Nathan, Haylee, Christian and Kevin 
were adopted together in March 2013, and were welcomed into the 
Saunders' growing family.
  Throughout the past 15 years, the Saunders have worked to integrate 
immediate and extended families. This includes the birth families of 
some of the children. Mary often tells her children you can never have 
too many people ``loving you.''
  Through hard work, compassion and a lot of love, Nick continues to 
defy his learning disabilities--excelling in high school and planning 
to enroll in college. Ian no longer has attachment issues or suffers 
from ADHD. Mara has learned to deal with her emotions without 
medication. Nathan recently won a best athlete award for the Omaha-
area. Haylee and Christian's education has improved leaps and bounds 
since becoming part of the Saunders family. The youngest, Kevin, 
continues to relish in the footsteps of his older siblings. Together, 
the seven children continue to thrive and grow, thanks to Mary and Jay.
  Each of the Saunders has been an inspiration to me. It is my hope and 
theirs that their family will serve as an inspiration to others who may 
be interested in pursuing foster care and adoption.
  I want to again thank Mary and Jay for their work to improve the 
lives of their children and congratulate them once again on being 
selected as 2014 Angels in Adoption.

                          ____________________