Bachmann Recognizes Mark and Julie Martindale as Angels in Adoption for 2014

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) recognized Mark and Julie Martindale of Elk River, Minnesota as the 2014 Angels in Adoption from Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District.

Mark and Julie Martindale began parenting with their two biological children, Tyler and McKenna, but when McKenna was born with a serious and life threatening birth defect that led to other complications, they soon knew that there would be room in their family for another child with special needs.

The couple originally intended to adopt one or two foster children, but after thirteen-month-old Evan died from his complications in 2006, the family couldn’t imagine a child fighting for their lives without a forever family by their side. They have now adopted nine children with disabilities, some of which are severe.

Their home is bustling with the activities of normal family life plus the added challenges that go along with the disabilities, but they still manage to find time to volunteer and work as educational advocates for children with special needs.

“It was an honor to meet Mark and Julie,” said Bachmann. “The beauty of the Martindale family story can be summed up by their family motto: ‘Where there is God, there is love. Where there is love, there is room for one more.’ Caring for special needs youth is no easy task, and the Martindales handle it with grace and faith. Their children are better for having been provided a forever family, and the Sixth District is better for having this family as an example of love.”

A mother to five biological children and foster mother to 23 children, Bachmann is the co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth. Angels in Adoption is a program of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute that allows Members of Congress to honor constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans.

For more photos from Bachmann's visit with the Martindales, click here. 

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