CRAPO HONORS SHELLEY COUPLE AS "ANGELS IN ADOPTION"

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is honoring Rick and Tina Betzer of Shelley, Idaho, as being among the nation's leading advocates for adoption. The Betzers, who have mentored 40 children and 11 special-needs children are in Washington, DC, as part of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's annual "Angels in Adoption" recognition ceremony. Crapo applauded the Betzers' efforts today in a Congressional Record Statement on adoption. The Betzers joined more than 180 other "Angels in Adoption" during recognition ceremonies today. They met with Crapo in his Washington, DC, office this afternoon.

"It is important we recognize the differences that foster parents like the Betzers are making in the lives of children right here in Idaho," Crapo said. "Love, family and generosity are all personified in Rick and Tina Betzer. In addition to cherishing their own five children during a 32-year marriage, they have taken in more than 40 foster children-giving those children the opportunity to grow up in a family environment. Being a foster parent in our country isn't something that provides financial rewards, but the Betzers have shared with me that the satisfaction and rewards they have gained from their experiences far outweigh any monetary compensation. Adoption is a 24/7 commitment that should be recognized."

"Thanks to Senator Crapo, the Betzers will receive the recognition they deserve for their tireless effort in the mission of helping these children realize their basic rights of a family," said Deanna Carlson Stacy, Executive Director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. "Our goal is to raise awareness of the millions of orphans and foster children in the United States and abroad that are in need of permanent, safe and loving homes, and we congratulate Rick and Tina for their role in helping us to achieve this goal."

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) was created in 2001 to raise Congressional and public awareness about the issues of adoption. The "Angels in Adoption" Program is sponsored primarily by the Freddie Mac Foundation. Previous national "Angels in Adoption" have included Bruce Willis, Jane Seymour and Victoria Rowell.