Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced today that Connecticut resident Mary Beth Bruder, Ph.D., has been named a 2008 Angel in Adoption for her work as an advocate for adopted children with special needs.  Senator Dodd nominated Dr. Bruder for the award, which is presented by The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). CCAI honored Dr. Bruder, along with 180 other Angels, at an awards ceremony and gala event in Washington, DC today.

During her time in Washington, Dr. Bruder will meet with Senator Dodd to discuss issues surrounding adoption, foster care, and children with special needs.  Dodd is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families.

"I am thrilled that Dr. Bruder has received this well deserved honor," said Dodd. "Connecticut is lucky to have such a dedicated advocate for its children. I hope that her example may encourage other parents to consider the option of adopting a child, particularly one with special needs, who might otherwise be denied a loving home."

There are few parents more dedicated in their efforts than Dr. Mary Beth Bruder. Dr. Bruder is a loving single mother of four daughters adopted from China.  Her children range in age from 2 to 10 years of age.  In addition to raising her four children, Dr. Bruder is the Director of the A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Connecticut. 

She is also a professor of pediatrics and educational psychology at the University of Connecticut, specializing for the past 32 years in early childhood intervention.  Both her personal and professional commitments have converged as Dr. Bruder has dedicated much of her time to educating and assisting parents, professionals, and Congressional representatives about children who have, or are at risk of developing disabilities. 

"I am humbled and honored to receive this award with others as committed to building families for children in need through adoption,” said Dr. Bruder. “Having special needs is a challenge for any child, but not having a family to care, love and help you be the person you were meant to be is an insurmountable challenge that far too many children here in the US and around the world are facing. I am grateful that Senator Dodd recognizes the needs of our most vulnerable children, and look forward to working with him as we help more children with special needs find their families, and help make adoption more accessible for more families.”

The Angels in Adoption program is CCAI's signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. CCAI is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness of the difficulties foster children and orphans face in finding a family.

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