2001 Angel in Adoption Awardees - Pound Pup Legacy

their home, community, and American society. The Homan family has given Felix a kind and loving home,something that every child deserves.TennesseeBrenda BakerSen. Fred ThompsonReason for selection: Brenda Baker’s personal credo is “All kids deserve parents. If you have it in your heart toparent, then you should.” She is an extraordinary individual who lives this credo professionally. Not only does sheplay a vital role in helping other people bring joy into their lives through adoption, she and her husband have openedtheir hearts and home to seven children from around the world. As adoption agency director for Children’s HopeInternational in Brentwood, TN, and prior to that Adoption Counselor for Catholic Charities of Nashville, TN, shehas helped hundreds of couples experience this same joy, providing a loving home to children in need.Caprice EastRep. John TannerReason for selection: Caprice, a Tennessee native, was raised in the city of Rutherford. She is the adopted daughterof Sid and Nadean East. After marrying and moving to Jackson, TN. Caprice began to question her biological roots.As an interior designer, she was working on her Senator’s house when she was turned down by the State for access toher birth records. With the help of Senator Joe Nip Mcknight, Caprice persuaded Tennessee’s Legislature to lookinto the antiquated adoption laws. The Adoption Study Commission by Governor McWherton, once approved by thelegislature, lasted two years and revealed a multitude of problems with every aspect of adoption. As one of the fourauthors of a 177page bill totally rewriting Tennessee’s adoption code and realizing the complexity of the issue, sheknew that without dedication the bill would never pass. She then moved to Nashville for the express purpose oflobbying Tennessee’s Legislature, all pro-bono. The passage of that bill has gone on to become a model law withfive other states and two Canadian Provinces already passing similar legislation and is being debated in at least sixother states this year. Caprice continues to monitor Tennessee’s adoption laws and those affecting children in fostercare.Judge Muriel RobinsonRep. Bob ClementReason for Selection: I am a Congressional Staff Member. Many years before coming to work for the Congressman,when my husband and I adopted our first child, Judge Robinson posed for pictures and even asked what color robeswe wanted her to wear for the photos. She made the whole procedure very moving for us. Seven years after weadopted our second child, we learned that he had terminal cancer. We had not finalized his adoption before hereached age seven because that would allow him to qualify for certain programs, which assisted with the astronomicalmedical bills his cancer entailed. When the doctors told us that Tristan’s situation was terminal we knew that it wasvery important that he be buried using our last name. We were unsure of exactly how much time we had to finalizethe procedure. After a call from our attorney, Judge Robinson came into her office on Christmas Eve to finalize thatadoption. It made a terrible time in our lives more bearable because of her compassion.I have heard many other adoptive parents tell of her kindness and concern during this important event in their lives.It is obvious that finalizing adoptions is more that just a procedure for her. Her caring and professionalism helpedmake the adoptive procedure even more memorable.TexasCarol DemuthRep. Sam JohnsonReason for selection: Carol has dedicated her career to improving adoptions for all involved and at every stage of theprocess. She has worked for more than fifteen years with faith-based, non-profit adoption programs. Carol runs aprivate practice where she provides counseling, adoption education, home studies, and support groups. She alsoworks for Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services where she provides post adoption services and support groups.Carol has also been the Executive Director of Life Matters and at Hope Cottage she was the Director of AdoptionEducation and Support Services, the Director of Post Adoption Services and a Post Adoption Counselor.