Senator Amy Klobuchar stood in front of an esteemed crowd in Washington, DC, as she named Tamara and Jeramy Lawson of Byron, Minnesota, this year's Angels in Adoption Minnesota honorees. According to a Klobuchar Recognizes Family from Byron as 2025 Angels, U.S. Senator in Adoption, release on her website, the couple, along with their adopted sons Jiang Li and Liam, received praise for their dedication and resilience in bringing Jiang Li home from China, a process complicated and prolonged by the pandemic.
According to klobuchar.senate.gov, the initial plan was for the Lawsons to adopt Jiang Li, a five-year-old boy with physical disabilities, but as the world knows all too well, the pandemic put a halt to countless plans, theirs included. After years of waiting, the family was united when Jiang Li was nine, exemplifying persistence in the face of global adversity. "Every child deserves a loving home, a nurturing family and a bright future," Klobuchar stated. Highlighting the transformative impact of the Lawsons' devotion, she continued, "Since then, their son has gone from being 20% independent to about 80% independent." These remarks underscore the praiseworthy accomplishments of the Lawson family.
Senator Klobuchar, who is also the Co-Chair of the Congressional Adoption Caucus, has worked to ensure that every child can find a permanent home. To date, her office has aided over 1,500 Minnesota families with adoptions. The Lawsons benefited from a grant from the Children's Home Adoption Support Fund, allowing for the purchase of adaptive equipment that aided Jiang Li in improving his independence.
The pandemic brought about unforeseeable challenges, including China's decision to pause and ultimately end its intercountry adoption program. In response to the complicating factors accrued by the pandemic and China's stance on adoption, Klobuchar pushed for the finalization of pending adoption cases for the hundreds of children matched to American families before the pandemic hit. A shared letter with more than 100 members of Congress, led by Klobuchar and her fellow Adoption Caucus Co-Chairs, was sent to the then-President, urging action in the best interest of these children.
The celebration of the Lawson family's recognition was captured in photos, showing their joyful interaction with Klobuchar at the Angels in Adoption annual celebration. These images, testament to a narrative of love and perseverance, can be found accompanying the news release on the senator's official website.
