[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15688]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO THE FITE FAMILY

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize Aaron and Tami 
Fite of Platte, SD. I selected the Fites to receive the 2015 Angels in 
Adoption Award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. I 
chose this couple for the way they have opened their hearts and homes 
to their children Cody and Cate through adoption and the way they have 
helped inspire their community to better understand adoption and 
children with all types of abilities.
  Though they initially intended to adopt a child from abroad, God 
changed their hearts and brought Cody into their lives. During the 
first 3 years of his life, Cody had a variety of complex medical needs, 
but thanks to Aaron and Tami's love and support, today he is a healthy 
and vibrant 11-year-old who competes in basketball, track, and softball 
at the Special Olympics.
  Two years after adopting Cody, Aaron and Tami welcomed a baby girl, 
Cate, into their home through adoption. Cate has a condition she 
developed in the womb that prevents her from being able to walk or talk 
on her own. Despite these challenges, she has mastered using a Mustang 
walker to walk and using an Eyegaze communication tool that allows her 
to talk to others using her eyes. Cate captivates others with her 
beautiful smile and gentle spirit.
  Not long after adopting Cate, Tami unexpectedly became pregnant. 
Chloe was born in 2010, and another daughter, Clare, was born in 2012.
  I am inspired by the Fites' faith in the Lord and their desire to 
spread the word about life. I am pleased they were able to travel to 
Washington, D.C., to help advocate for their message that opening homes 
to children through adoption can help spread the word that every life 
is valuable.
  The Angels in Adoption award recognizes individuals, couples, and 
organizations that have made extraordinary contributions on behalf of 
children in need of a family. Awardees from all 50 states, plus the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, come together in Washington, 
D.C., each year to participate in events that celebrate their heroic 
actions and enable them to use their personal experience to effect 
change on a national level.
  Aaron and Tami's exemplary actions demonstrate the positive impact 
adopting a child can have on a family and a community, and the Fites 
are more than deserving of this award. I would like to extend my 
sincere thanks and appreciation to Aaron and Tami and their family, and 
I wish them the best of luck in the future.

                          ____________________