Earlier this week, 650 business leaders and D.C. influentials, including 10 members of Congress, gathered at the 13th Annual Angels in Adoption Gala to honor celebrities and individuals nationwide who work on behalf of U.S. foster children and orphans around the world. Angels in Adoption—a program created by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)—provides members of Congress the opportunity to honor those who have committed their lives to helping children in need of homes and families.

Along with 140 local “Angels,” CCAI honored national Angels: Academy Award-nominated actress and screenwriter Nia Vardalos, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and Freddie Mac Foundation’s Wednesday’s Child TV program. Raising awareness about adoption and foster care is especially close to the hearts of Nia, who is an adoptive mother, and Scott, an adoptee himself.

Nia and her husband adopted their daughter three years ago through the foster care system. Upon accepting her award last night, Nia expressed how grateful she is for her daughter. She also emphasized how her acting career has given her the opportunity to become a national spokesperson, joking that she’s able to use her big mouth to increase awareness surrounding adoption.

While Scott was unable to attend the Gala, his adoptive parents, Helen and Rodney Fujita, graciously accepted the award on his behalf. Helen, who is Caucasian and Rodney, who is Japanese-American then recalled a funny story from when Scott was young, chuckling at how Scott sometimes had to show his ID to substitute teachers who didn’t believe that his last name belonged to him.