[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF THE WOOD FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the loving 
generosity of a family in my district, Jaoni and Gabriel Wood. Jaoni 
and Gabriel were recently named Foster Parents of the Year for Loudoun 
County for their steadfast guardianship of a pair of siblings who 
needed a home.
  Gabriel and Jaoni had two biological children of their own, ages 11 
and 9, and raised them in a warm and loving home in Loudoun County, 
Virginia. They saw at-risk families and children who have been affected 
by traumatic incidents and took it upon themselves to change their 
lives for the better. Gabriel and Jaoni created an adoption ministry at 
the Purcellville Baptist Church in Loudoun County with the goal of 
teaching the community ways they can serve and help children in need.
  The Wood family undertook the challenge of fostering a 7 year old boy 
and his 4 year old sister. After caring for them for nearly three 
years, the Jaoni and Gabriel plan on welcoming the two children 
permanently into their family. While the years have surely been filled 
with joyous moments, it has not always been easy. Gabriel and Jaoni 
have spent countless hours helping the newest members of their family 
feel welcome, while also learning themselves how to handle the 
emotional and physical needs of the siblings. By opening their home and 
their hearts, Gabriel and Jaoni have demonstrated the most sincere form 
of love possible.
  According to the Virginia Department of Social Services, as of 2016 
there are more than 5,000 children who are in foster care in the 
Commonwealth of Virginia and over sixty percent of those children live 
in a non-relative home. The Wood family wants all of these children to 
succeed in the face of these hardships and it cannot be overstated the 
incredible impact they make on their lives, both through the personal 
foster care they provide and through the services they have at the 
Purcellville Baptist Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Jaoni and 
Gabriel Wood for their service to the children of our community and 
wishing them all the best as they raise their new family and continue 
to help those in need.

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