Recognizing Dr. Linda Pendergast

RECOGNIZING DR. LINDA PENDERGAST -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 22, 2004)

Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Linda Pendergast from Baton Rouge, Louisiana-my nominee for the 2004 Angels in Adoption Award.

Dr. Pendergast is a reunited birthmother who has devoted a large part of her life in volunteer service to the adoption community of Louisiana. As a member of the Catholic Community Services Adoption Advisory Board, she has provided prenatal education and support to pregnant teens in residence at Sanctuary House, a ministry of Catholic Services in Baton Rouge. She also has conducted behavioral/temperament assessments of infants placed for adoption through Catholic Community Services as a post-adoption strategy to foster family cohesiveness, parental satisfaction with the parenting role and optimal infant development.

Dr. Pendergast is a coordinator and facilitator of a search and support group for adult adoptees, birthparents, and adoptive parents. She also serves as an advisor to Louisiana Adoption Advocates-a legislative group dedicated to adoption reform. A member of the Louisiana Adoption Advisory Bd. Inc., Dr. Pendergast has served 4 years as Board secretary and is in her second term as Vice Chair in addition to numerous other involvements in scholarship and volunteer programs.

Her fight for Louisiana's children is a personal one. The happiness of her reunited family is a bright example of her commitment. It is individuals like Dr. Pendergast and her colleagues on the Louisiana Adoption Advisory Board who are truly making a difference in our communities.

This week the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is honoring Linda and hundreds of devoted volunteers like her in ceremonies in Washington, DC. I am proud to honor Dr. Pendergast as one of Louisiana's Angels in Adoption.