Mike Levin: “Today I join a large number of my colleagues in the Senate in recognizing and mourning the loss of a selfless, dedicated…”

“Today I join a large number of my colleagues in the Senate in recognizing and mourning the loss of a selfless, dedicated American who was an unyielding advocate and activist for the cause of adoption. Rex David "Dave" Thomas was born on July 2, 1932, in Atlantic City, NJ, and was adopted soon afterward by Rex and Auleva Thomas, who lived in Kalamazoo, MI. Dave Thomas passed away on January 8 of this year at the age of 69. The bipartisan resolution which the Senate is about to adopt, hopefully today, extends condolences to Dave's wife of 47 years, Lorraine, and their 5 children: Pam, Ken, Molly, Wendy, and Lori, and their 16 grandchildren. The Thomas family has much to be proud of and to cherish. Dave Thomas led a life of dynamic public and human service. He was a man of vision, action, and compassion, and for generations to come the fruits of his labor will continue to improve the lives of the multitude of children who seek a permanent home and loving family and the multitude of families who wish to enrich their lives through adoption.”