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Newhouse Honors Zillah Family as 2020 Angels in Adoption

October 29, 2020

ZILLAH, WA – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) recognized Zillah residents Margarita (Maggie) and Eugene Dawson as Central Washington's 2020 Angels in Adoption. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)'s Angels in Adoption program honors families, individuals, and organizations making extraordinary contributions to adoption, permanency, and welfare. The Dawson's were nominated by Rep. Newhouse to receive this honor.

"Maggie and Eugene knew their nieces and nephews would need a loving family after this unimaginable tragedy," said Rep. Newhouse. "They stepped up, surrounded by support from their community, to provide a home and help the children heal from their trauma. Now, as a family of 12, the Dawson's serve as an inspirational example of how families can thrive, even in the darkest of times. They are angels who truly exemplify the family values we hold dear in Central Washington."

Maggie and Eugene Dawson welcomed their eight nieces and nephews to live in their home just two days after the children's mother lost her life at the hands of their father. Together with their two biological children, Maggie and Eugene have created a safe place and secure family unit, ensuring the children have a chance to grow up with their siblings and cousins. In 2017, they were granted permanent custody of the seven minor children.

Background:

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a non-profit organization that works 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. CCAI's Angels in Adoption initiative provides an opportunity for Members of Congress to honor an individual or entity from their district which has made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes.

CCAI is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe and loving homes through adoption.