Congresswoman Waters Congratulates Debra Reid, Her “Angel in Adoption”
September 12, 2012
Yesterday, in an award ceremony on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) presented the "Angels in Adoption" award to Debra Reid, the Founder and Executive Director of the Jonathan Reid Family Rights Coalition, an organization that provides assistance to families to help them navigate the juvenile dependency courts and the foster care system in Los Angeles County. The Angels in Adoption program is sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and provides Members of Congress an opportunity to recognize an individual or organization from their community that has made a difference in the lives of children and families involved in foster care and adoption.
"I chose to honor Debra Reid as an Angel in Adoption because she has become a champion for children in foster care," said Congresswoman Waters. "When families become involved in dependency court, they can get information and assistance from the Jonathan Reid Family Rights Coalition, and when they experience an injustice in the foster care system, they can find a voice and an advocate in Debra Reid."
Debra Reid lost her nine-year-old son, Jonathan, after he was wrongfully removed from her and placed in foster care in 1997. Jonathan died of asthma complications within six weeks of being taken away from his mother. After his death, it was revealed that social workers had contributed to his death by providing inaccurate information about his medical condition.
"Debra Reid turned her tragedy into a fight for justice for parents like herself who have been mistreated by the foster care system," said Congresswoman Waters.
"Debra, I have told you this before, but I want to tell you again. I admire you for becoming a champion for children in foster care." Congresswoman Waters told Ms. Reid as she presented the award to her. "The tragedy you had to endure that led you on this path would have destroyed anyone else. Losing a child is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. You turned that tragedy into a fight for justice for children like Jonathan and parents like yourself who have been mistreated by the system."
"I chose to honor Debra Reid as an Angel in Adoption because she has become a champion for children in foster care," said Congresswoman Waters. "When families become involved in dependency court, they can get information and assistance from the Jonathan Reid Family Rights Coalition, and when they experience an injustice in the foster care system, they can find a voice and an advocate in Debra Reid."
Debra Reid lost her nine-year-old son, Jonathan, after he was wrongfully removed from her and placed in foster care in 1997. Jonathan died of asthma complications within six weeks of being taken away from his mother. After his death, it was revealed that social workers had contributed to his death by providing inaccurate information about his medical condition.
"Debra Reid turned her tragedy into a fight for justice for parents like herself who have been mistreated by the foster care system," said Congresswoman Waters.
"Debra, I have told you this before, but I want to tell you again. I admire you for becoming a champion for children in foster care." Congresswoman Waters told Ms. Reid as she presented the award to her. "The tragedy you had to endure that led you on this path would have destroyed anyone else. Losing a child is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. You turned that tragedy into a fight for justice for children like Jonathan and parents like yourself who have been mistreated by the system."
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Issues:
43rd District