November is National Adoption Month and November 17th is the eighth annual National Adoption Day. These are opportunities to raise awareness of the 114,000 children across America in foster care who are awaiting permanent, loving homes.

"Every child needs a loving home. All those who help during the process of adoption and foster care are vital to the cause of providing love for these children. It would be hard to offer too much thanks for their efforts," said King.

To honor tireless adoption and foster care advocates, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute stages an awards ceremony and gala dinner for "Angels in Adoption". This year, along with more than 180 Angels, Dave and Judy Ehler of Holstein were honored at the Angels in Adoption gala event in Washington, DC on October 4th.

Many Angels in Adoption honorees are known nationally. At the gala this year were Patti LaBelle, Grammy Award winning artist, Alonzo Mourning, Professional Basketball Player – Founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities, Inc., and Marcus Samuelsson, Critically Acclaimed Chef and Author. Other former "Angels" include First Lady Laura Bush, Jane Seymour, Muhammad Ali, Steven Curtis Chapman and Bruce Willis.

Dave and Judy Ehler have been adoptive parents for 19 years and foster parents for 13 years. Since 1994, in addition to their adopted children, the Ehlers have provided their love and support for 25 foster children in their Holstein home. The Ehlers are also invested in respite care. Allowing other foster parents to travel, Dave and Judy look after their children.

"Dave and Judy are selfless with their time and love to their adoptive and foster children. Nowadays, all of us are looking for heroes and role models. The Ehlers are exactly that. I hope people will follow their genuine and worthy example. On behalf of Iowans, thank you Dave and Judy," added King.

Congressman King is a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, which uses its voice to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children and to recognize individuals who have done the same.  

Every year, King nominates one person or family from Iowa’s Fifth Congressional District an "Angel in Adoption". The husband of this year’s "Angel" couple, Dave Ehler, serves as Congressman King’s District Director.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption.  CCAI’s goal is the elimination of the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family. 

CCAI does not receive any government funding but relies on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish their mission.  For more information visit http://www.ccainstitute.org/.

-30-