BY CONGRESSMAN BART GORDON

A recent survey asked people, “What Makes a Hero?” Similar answers were given – more than 80% said “not giving up until the goal is accomplished” and “overcoming adversity.” People often list religious and historical leaders, members of our Armed Forces, firefighters and sports stars as heroes.

There is another special group of heroes who receive less attention but who positively affect the lives of tens of thousands of individuals each year: people who welcome children into their lives through adoption.

Last year, more than 50,000 children were adopted from the U.S. foster care system and another 17,000 children were adopted from abroad. The people who became parents to these children had to overcome adversity and not give up until their goal of completing the adoption process was accomplished. Each of these parents is a hero in my mind.

Mark and Janet Carlton of Murfreesboro are two such heroes. In August 2008, I was able to help them complete their adoption of a little boy from Guatemala. The adoption process is by no means easy, but Mark and Janet persevered through the process and welcomed Nathan, who is now two years old, into their lives. Mark and Janet attribute their motivation in part to Janet’s late sister, Kathy, who was a social worker at the Heaven Sent Children adoption agency.

I recently nominated the Carlton family to be one of the 2009 “Angels in Adoption” – a program sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute to honor the good work of people who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the U.S. and abroad. The Carlton family will join 190 other Angels in Washington, D.C. to share their stories with other members of Congress and raise awareness about the thousands of foster children in the U.S. and the millions around the world who need permanent, safe and loving homes.

Growing up without a parent can be especially difficult. Studies have shown that when it comes to school performance, social competency and health measures, adopted children share similarly high scores with children raised by their birth mother and father. Unfortunately, children who remain in the foster care system without a nurturing parental figure don’t perform as well.

Making a difference in a foster child’s life is not limited to adopting. Volunteering to mentor can greatly benefit a child’s life. Studies show that 44% of mentored teens in foster care are less likely to use drugs and 59% have better academic performance. Children who spend time with a mentor also have better relationships with adults, fewer disciplinary referrals, and more confidence.

I encourage anyone who has some extra time to consider mentoring a foster child. For more information, just call 1-866-516-LIFT or visit www.tn.gov/youth/mentoring.

Every child deserves a loving and encouraging parental figure. The people who choose to adopt or mentor a foster child should be regarded as heroes.