Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Diana Tolstedt of Billings

U.S. SENATE — During National Adoption Awareness Month, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Diana Tolstedt of Billings for helping navigate Montanans through all aspects of the adoption process for nearly three decades.

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Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. 

Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.

Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve

The following is the statement submitted to the Congressional Record:  

MONTANAN OF THE WEEK 

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, during National Adoption Awareness Month, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Diana Tolstedt of Billings.  For nearly three decades she has been helping people navigate all aspects of the adoption process.  She has made a positive and lasting impact in the lives of many Montanans.      

Through her work with Lutheran Social Services of Montana, Diana has gently guided and counseled adoptees, birth parents and adoptive families.  For a dozen years, she has been a recruiter with Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, leading a program dedicated to finding adoptive families for the longest waiting children in foster care from eastern Montana.   

Throughout the United States, there are over one hundred thousand children in foster care who are waiting for adoption, each needing a loving home and stable environment to allow them to thrive and reach their potential.  In the midst of this adoption challenge, folks like Diana are a guiding light to help others traverse adoption obstacles.  I would like to thank Diana for having a heart as big as Yellowstone County, and a commitment to brightening the hopes of children, one life at a time. 

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