Pasco family honored as ‘Angels in Adoption’
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., on Monday recognized a Pasco couple with an Angels in Adoption award for Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
Janice and Dean Walker already had four biological children under the age of 6 when they adopted their twin 5-year-old sons from Zambia, Africa, in 2010.
In 2011, the Walkers had another biological daughter. In 2012, the Walkers adopted two 5-year-old sons, this time from China. Both of the sons the Walkers adopted from China had special needs, and while in China they learned that Janice would have another biological child. In 2013, the Walker family included 10 children.
The Walkers’ story of adoption continues: Janice and Dean are now working to adopt a daughter from China with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Tri-City Herald columnist Lucy Luginbill wrote about the Walker family in May in her inspirational column, Light Notes, which caught Newhouse’s attention.
“The Walkers consider themselves to be ordinary people with 10 children who are phenomenal,” said Rep. Newhouse in a news release. “The message the Walkers send is anything but ordinary: adoption is a calling for families, including for those with their own biological children.
“Their ability to open their homes to orphans and their example of dedication to live for others make Janice and Dean true angels of adoption. I am honored to recognize them today. As we celebrate National Adoption Month, I hope the Walker Family will inspire others who are considering adoption.”
Tri-City Herald columnist Lucy Luginbill wrote about the Walker family in May in her inspirational column, Light Notes.
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit working to raise awareness about the needs of children without families and to remove policy barriers that hinder children from knowing the love and support a family provides.
The initiative provides an opportunity for members of Congress to honor an individual or entity from their district making an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes.
This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Pasco family honored as ‘Angels in Adoption’."