Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced he has selected Shirlee Smith to be this year’s recipient of the 29th Congressional District “Angel in Adoption” award. This is an annual award sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI).
“Shirlee has a remarkable and tireless dedication to foster children and richly deserves this recognition,” said Schiff. “She is a tremendous advocate for foster care children and exemplifies what it means to be an ‘Angel in Adoption.’ I am very proud of the years of work she has done with foster children and the improvements she has sought in the foster care system. The 29th Congressional District is fortunate to have Shirlee working to better our communities.”
Ms. Smith has been the foster parent to 14 year-old Brandi since the girl’s birth and has fostered more than 12 special needs infants. In addition to being a foster parent, Ms. Smith once served as a member of the Los Angeles County Adoption Commission and was also an appointee to the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families. Ms. Smith hosts a syndicated cable show “Talk About Parenting with Shirlee Smith” and is the author of They’re Your Kids Not Your Friends.
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute was founded in 1999 to promote awareness of the significant need for loving and stable homes for foster and foreign children. Each year, CCAI encourages Members of Congress to nominate a constituent who has “enriched the lives of children through adoption” for an “Angel in Adoption” award. All nominees are subsequently honored at a banquet in Washington, DC.
Congressman Schiff welcomes nominations for next year’s “Angel in Adoption” award. For information on how to submit a nomination for next year’s award please contact Congressman Schiff’s district office at 626-304-2727.
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