 Adoption is not just a policy matter, it’s a personal matter for U.S. Representative Tom Bliley. Many years ago, he and his wife made a meaningful decision that changed not only their own lives for the better, but also the lives of two children. While Representative and Chairman are nice, hard-earned titles, they can’t measure up to being called Dad. This title may not convey any power, but its meaning is undoubtedly powerful. As an adoptive parent, Rep. Bliley knows that adoption is not a one-way street. Rather, it is a win-win situation where both the child and the parent benefit. His family’s positive adoptive experience has acted as the catalyst to his efforts to help other families share in the opportunity. Rep. Bliley worked with U.S. Rep. James Oberstar and former U.S. Senators Gordon Humphrey and Lloyd Bentsen to form the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 1985. During his tenure in Congress, Rep. Bliley has sought to increase adoption awareness among his colleagues and the American people by advocating various adoption initiatives. These measures include tax credits for adoption, adoption awareness promotion, family leave for adoption, formation of the National Adoption Information Center, foster care incentive payments to the State, and aid to orphans and displaced children. The Coalition will sorely miss the leadership and foresight exhibited by Rep. Bliley.
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