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The following parents were honored with National Excellence in Parenting Awards by the National Parents' Day Council.  The awards were presented at the Ninth Annual Capitol Hill Parents' Day Celebration held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.
Vincent and Anni Beach of Chandler, AZ
Vincent and Anni's life together and with their children is a living testimony to overcoming racism.  They have raised their three children to be responsible and civic-minded through their own example.  Sanjay, their oldest son was an NFL football player who started a mentoring program with a former teammate.  He is deeply involved in mentoring and also a Board Member of the Lupus Foundation.  The second son, Kris, is a professional golfer and is the proud father of several of the 13 Beach grandchildren. The third child, Jenny, is a teacher in Washington , DC .  Vincent and Anni spent 28 years caring for all aspects of life for the Navajo children at the boarding school on the reservation in Chandler , Arizona .
What began with a love of music using borrowed and donated instruments has become a musical band, the Jam Pak Neighborhood Blues n’Grass Band. This band brings together young people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds to make music together. They play at regional music festivals and other venues. The parental skills of Vincent and Anni Beach have given the children confidence to challenge all limitations.
Robert and Marguerite Steele of Xenia , Ohio
The Steeles worked tirelessly to raise their children to be responsible citizens. They have also helped the larger “family” of the community they live in.   The Steeles’ four sons all have families of their own now. They now are teaching their children the lessons they learned by practical experience from their parents along with the values of serving the larger community. All have served as Sons of the American Legion. Bob Steele has contributed greatly to America both as a military man and with the American Legion, where he has served as a State Commander.  Bob and Marguerite have used their knowledge, experience, and heart to help many others in their hometown.  In a community with a high level of racial tension, the Steeles developed programs to help the least fortunate and showed the example of love and service that goes beyond race and nationality.
	With the help of the American Legion, Mr. Steele garnered resources and established a vibrant community center where life-enhancement activities and education could be attained -without cost to the young people of Xenia .  These accomplishments and the warm relationships the Steeles have developed with people of different races and ethnicities have helped bring about better cooperation and understanding between the white and minority communities.

Rev. Lionel and Margaret Etwaru of Woodlawn, NY and originally from Guyana , South America
Lionel and Margaret Etwaru , have been married for 26 years and are the parents of Kenise, 24, and Delene, 20.  Their parenting has not only included teaching and being examples for their children but has extended far beyond their immediate family to their local community in New York and even to many nations of the world. Their project (and second family), the “Worship Forever Musical”, is a musical group of 17 singers and musicians that travel internationally with a spiritually uplifting message. The Etwarus’ special skills lay in their ability to foster high morals, a public minded vision of life, and a strong sacrificial work ethic. Lionel is one of the 12 international leaders of the Apostolic “Internal Christian Leaders Connection” which does humanitarian work in 68 nations.

Isa and Hadiza Wada of Bowie, MD, originally from Nigeria
The Wadas have been married for 22 years and have 5 beautiful children.  They are of the Islamic faith.  The elder children gave moving testimonies when interviewed about their parents for this award.   Both Isa and Hadiza hold advanced degrees from American universities -earned while they have been raising the five children, all of whom are still under the age of 20.
	They have taken turns getting their education, and they have passed up many opportunities to high-level positions in other countries because they believe it is best for their children to be educated in America .  Hadiza works for Voice of America, broadcasting to Nigeria because of her fervent belief in truth in Media.  This belief in telling the truth and many other high values have not been missed by their children, who consider their parents to be great role models.

Dr. J. Wey Chen and Mrs. Sue Chen of Fort Collins, CO and originally from China

Dr. J. Wey Chen and Mrs. Sue Chen are immigrants from China who have embraced American life, while frequently taking on leadership responsibilities with Chinese-American organizations.  They both are community activists who volunteer their services at the public schools where their children were educated, in the Asian community, and in the community at large.  Their children, Davis and Elisa, are now grown and very active people following the pattern of their parents.  Elisa, now 18, is an accomplished classical musician, who has blossomed from a very shy and introverted girl when she arrived from China , into a confident woman taking on numerous leadership roles in her University.  Mrs. Sue Chen became involved in Elisa’s school as a volunteer and dedicated herself to training and nurturing her daughter to help her succeed.  Over the years, the Chens have been given many awards from their community for a wide range of activities. They are truly deserving of the 2003 National Excellence in Parenting Award.