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Every year since 1999, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) has been promoting adoption awareness at the top levels of the U.S. government, and each year, the CCAI has honored those who make extraordinary contributions to the welfare of children by presenting Angel in Adoption awards at a gala celebration in Washington, DC. This year, over 170 "Angel in Adoption" awards were presented at a dinner and awards ceremony on Thursday, September 23rd, at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Meet the 2004 Angels in Adoption:
National Honorees:
Jane Seymour, actor, spokesperson, advocate
Kirk & Cathi Triplett, adoptive parents, advocates (Kirk, a PGA golfer, put pictures of waiting kids on his golf bags during tournament play to build awareness)
Pat & Ruth Williams, Sr. VP of the Orlando Magic and his wife are the parents of 19 through birth and adoption
State Honorees:
(This is a partial list. If you know the names of individuals or groups in your state who were honored this year, please post them so we can honor them all!)
Alabama: Curtis & Tammy Swan
California: Gail & Reyes Noriega, Jr., Nightlight Christian Adoptions, Children's Home of Stockton
Colorado: Richard Fischer,
Georgia: Tina & John Lunsford
Idaho: Marti Wiser
Iowa: Ken & Char Kuhns
Maine: Shawn & Rita Yardley, Bette Hoxie
Massachusetts: Jan Addison Nichols
Michigan: Brenda Romanchik
Nebraska: Terry & Sandi Klein, Jim & Myona Hall, Scott & Colleen Schmidt, Kathy Bigsby-Moore
New Hampshire: Allyson Schaaf, Carla Boudreau
New Jersey: Carol F. Gustavson
Ohio: Sherri & Brent Nolen
Oregon: Shelley Busby
Pennsylvania: Pam & Guy Moscato
South Dakota: Wilbur & Cheryl Between Lodge
Texas: Randolph Severson
Utah: Kathleen Kunkel
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I know of two others who were awarded the Angels in Adoption Award; Carol F. Gustavson, adoptive mother of 4 from Hackettstown NJ, founder of Adoptive Parents For Open Records, and tireless and compassionate worker for adoptee rights and understanding of birthparents. Carol was a member of Concerened United Birthparents for many years, and a good friend to Origins NJ, founded in 1980, and to adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents of good will here in NJ for many years, and before that in Pittsburgh, PA area groups. She helped all her children search and reunite long before that was common or accepted by most adoptive parents, and then she went on to be a gentle source of support to others.Carol really is an angel to many of us!
Dr. Randoph Severson of Dallas, Texas also received the Angel Award this year. Dr. Severson is a gifted writer and therapist who has worked in the adoption field for 20 years, an outspoken champion of adoptee human rights, and of ethical adoption and fair treatment for women in crisis pregnancies and birth parents. He is a brilliant clinician and author, and a true "rennaisance man". He is the author of Charms and Rituals for Healing and Adoption: Philosophy and Experience" as well as many pamphlets.
Dr. Severson is also an Angel in his words, faith, and life, the award just makes it official!
maryanne