Celebrating 10 Years of Ordinary People doing Extraordinary Things

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 140 Congressional Angels in Adoption(TM), selected by their United States Representatives and Senators, and two National Angels in Adoption(TM), were recognized tonight at the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute's (CCAI) Annual Angels in Adoption(TM) Gala in Washington, D.C.

The Angels in Adoption(TM), honored for their outstanding contributions toward the welfare of children in the United States foster care system and orphans around the globe, have worked to raise Congressional and public awareness about the tens of thousands of foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans worldwide in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes. Chosen from all 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the Angels in Adoption(TM) were awarded for their exceptional work as adoption champions resulting in many of these children realizing their basic right of a family.

This year's two "National Angels," CBS Entertainment and Ashley Rhodes-Courter, were recognized for their adoption and foster care advocacy on a broader, global scale.

This year, CCAI is celebrating their 10th Anniversary of honoring ordinary people doing extraordinary things! Over the last 10 years, CCAI has highlighted the work of more than 1300 people making a lasting difference in the life of a child.

"The Angels in Adoption program is unlike any other program in the Nation's Capitol. Because of it, over 1300 'Angels' have come to share with Washington their adoption experience and left with a renewed excitement of all that adoption makes possible," said Kathleen Strottman. "I learned one simple lesson from my time on the hill, knowledge is power. Angels in Adoption is meant to give Members of Congress the knowledge they need to use the power they have toward making the dream of a family a reality for every child."

Former "National Angels" include First Lady Laura Bush, Patti LaBelle, Jane Seymour, Muhammad Ali, the late Dave Thomas, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bruce Willis, Alonzo Mourning, and Marcus Samuelsson.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes; and to eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family. CCAI was created in 2001 by the active co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) to more effectively raise Congressional and public awareness about the issue of adoption.

The Angels in Adoption(TM) program is CCAI's signature public awareness program, which provides an opportunity for all Members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans.

With more than 140 Members of Congress participating in this program, it is the year's single most significant Congressional event pertaining to child welfare in the United States. Since the program's inception in 1999, Members of Congress have awarded more than 1,300 Congressional Angels in Adoption(TM).

CCAI does not receive any government funding and they rely on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish their mission. For more information, visit their website at www.ccainstitute.org

CONTACT: Chelsea Cathcart at 202.544.8500

SOURCE Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute