Meet your Neighbors
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced he has chosen Jim and Sue Russo of Sioux Falls to be his "Angels in Adoption" from South Dakota. Johnson is a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and chose this family from among six nominees in South Dakota.
"There are so many adoptive and foster parents who feel that caring for children is its own reward. I am pleased that I can recognize Jim and Sue Russo's dedication to providing a safe, loving, and stable home," said Johnson.
Jim and Sue Russo have two grown daughters and began taking in foster children in 1993. After two years acting as foster parents to Brandon and as a mentor family for his mother, it became clear that Brandon would need to be adopted. Jim and Sue decided to continue caring for Brandon not as mentors but as his parents and adopted him in 1998. After loving and caring for this very fussy baby who suffered from prenatal maternal drug use, colic and reflux they just could not see him going to anyone else. Then at age 4 he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of Autism. Brandon is a child who has special needs and needs a lot of extra attention, but that extra love is never a problem in the Russo household. In addition to adopting Brandon, the Russo's have had 60 foster care placements in the last 12 years.
The "Angels in Adoption" program was established in 1999 by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute to raise awareness about the importance of adoption. Since the program's beginning, 22 South Dakota families have been recognized for their commitment to children.
"I have been promoting adoption throughout my service in the Senate. The 'Angels in Adoption' program is a great way to acknowledge people for doing something so selfless, by adopting children and raising them in loving homes" continued Johnson.
