Political Quotes

“I certainly do rise in recognition of David Thomas and support this resolution honoring his life. When he passed away on January 8, the world lost a great advocate for children. While so many know him as a dedicated businessman, his greatest accomplishment to many of us was the difference he made in the lives of so many vulnerable children. I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for introducing this resolution. She indeed knows full well the values of adoption. I as a parent who, with my husband, have raised 9 children, 6 who were the children of my late sister, have become a great advocate for Dave Thomas and for the story and the message that he told that reached millions. With his corporate relationships, he encouraged the practice of adoption incentives through employee benefits plans. Approximately 50,000 children are adopted nationwide each year. According to the State Department's annual report, the number of international adoptions is steadily increasing every year. According to Adoptions Forever, an adoption agency in Maryland, the average cost of adoption for an international orphan ranges up to $30,000, while a domestic adoption can range up to $12,000. Easing the burden of this cost can make all the difference for families who are considering adoption, and Dave Thomas worked tirelessly to minimize these barriers to helping children in need.”