NCFA Media : Press Releases

National Council For Adoption Inducts Members into Adoption Hall of Fame

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Pat Bergstresser
(703) 299-6633, ext. 122
Email: pbergstresser@infantadopt.org

Washington, D.C. - The annual Adoption Hall of Fame 2003 Awards Banquet sponsored by the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) will take place on Wednesday, March 26, at the Fairmont Hotel, 2401 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. The Reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by the Banquet Dinner at 7 p.m.

NCFA will celebrate its 23 years of serving children and families by giving its highest award, induction into the Adoption Hall of Fame, to outstanding Members of Congress and the Administration, and to outstanding "Goodwill Ambassadors" of adoption, who have proven their commitment to promoting sound and ethical adoption policies and practices.

This year NCFA will recognize three champions of adoption who have led the way in advancing federal policies that present adoption as a positive option for women with unplanned pregnancies, make adoption more affordable, facilitate intercountry adoptions, and make it easier for children to be adopted out of foster care, through such federal legislation as the Adoption and Safe Families Act, the Infant Adoption Awareness Training Program, the Intercountry Adoption Act, and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. Through their leadership on adoption, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson, Senator Larry E. Craig, and Representative Jim DeMint have brought untold benefits to children and families.

NCFA will also honor D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, for the recent increases in adoptions in the nation’s Capital, and Pastor W.C. and Donna Martin, whose teaching and example have inspired families in their church to adopt 76 children out of foster care. Tony Blankley, Editorial Page Editor of the Washington Times, and Panelist on "The McLaughlin Group," will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the Banquet.

The event will be hosted by a cross section of American adoption advocates and adoptive parents who personally value adoption and its important role in building happy families worldwide - including Marvin and Margaret Bush, Mary and David Bushnell, Janet and Peter Simon, Lou and Ralph Davidson, Mona Charen and Bob Parker, The Streep Family, and Hollywood producer Michael Jaffe and his wife Jann. In addition to Members of Congress, Administration officials, and Embassy representatives, guests at the dinner will include adoption agency directors, adoptive families, the media, and sponsoring organizations.

Founded in 1980, the mission of the Alexandria, Virginia-based National Council For Adoption is to promote the well-being of children, birthparents, and adoptive families by advocating for the positive option of adoption.

*For security purposes, all media must contact Pat Bergstresser to arrange to attend.

About NCFA

Since 1980, the NCFA has been a leading voice among national child adoption and welfare organizations. NCFA is a research, education, and advocacy nonprofit that provides adoption information, promotes ethical adoption practices, works to shape public policy and legislation regarding adoption issues, and serves as a continuing resource to women with unplanned pregnancies, adoptive families, and those seeking to adopt.

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