WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced that he has nominated John and Beth Hughes for the 2022 Angels in Adoption Award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI).

John and Beth Hughes have a passion for helping women who choose adoption. Their adoption practice, Heart2Heart Adoptions, which is a part of Hughes Law Office in Sioux Falls, began more than thirty years ago when John was asked by friends to help with the interstate adoption of twin girls. John said that he had never done an adoption before and was promptly told, “Well, then you better learn.” While John provides the legal expertise and counsel, Beth has a remarkable ability to ask the tough questions of expectant mothers and hopeful adopting parents in the most loving of ways.

Their greatest reward is having a birth mother they helped in the past come back and tell them that adoption was one of the hardest, but best, decisions in her life. They cherish watching the children grow through the years and love receiving Christmas photos and graduation announcements. In their 31 years of adoption practice, they have assisted with over 500 adoptions in 45 states. John has been admitted to practice in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Court for more than 20 years, and he has had successful adoption experiences with all nine Sioux tribes.

John and Beth are blessed with highly-skilled and caring staff who support their adoption work at every step: Jeryl, Mary, Angi and Mel. John and Beth have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.

“I am honored to nominate John and Beth for this year’s Angels in Adoption Award,” said Rounds. “John and Beth have brought numerous families together and have touched the lives of so many. Over 500 adoptions in 45 states is a remarkable accomplishment, and their dedication continues to have a positive impact on our state.”

Rounds is a member of the CCAI. Each year, members of Congress are invited to nominate an outstanding family or organization from their state to receive an Angels in Adoption award. 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. For more information, visit CCAI’s website.

Rounds is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Angels in Adoption Award. For more information, please visit rounds.senate.gov/adoption.

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