[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RELIEF FOR JOHN EDWARD ARMSTRONG DENNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation 
that would provide permanent residency to John Edward Armstrong Denney.
  John Denney currently is a citizen of Australia. John was abandoned 
by his parents in the hospital and was raised in foster care. 
Eventually, John found himself in the care of Mrs. Armstrong, a widow 
who took in foster children for a living. Mrs. Armstrong was the only 
mother John had, and she died in 1990. In 1989, John had his name 
changed to John Edward Armstrong in honor of his relationship with Mrs. 
Armstrong. Since her death, John has had no relatives in Australia.
  In 1992, John came to Atlanta, GA, at the invitation of a friend from 
Australia who had married an American citizen. During his visit, John 
was an active member in the church and became very close with the 
Denney family. After a year, John's visa expired and he returned to 
Australia. John returned to the United States a year later, during 
which time he spent a great deal of time with the Denney family. He is 
close to Kristina, the youngest member of the Denney family, who 
suffers from very poor health. On February 23, 1995, the Denney family 
adopted John. On March 3, John returned to Australia.
  John has no family in Australia. The Denney family, especially 5-
year-old Kristina, want John to join his adopted family in America. 
U.S. immigration laws offer no help for John in his attempt to join the 
first family he has ever known. My legislation will allow John Edward 
Armstrong Denney to be reunited with that family permanently, by 
granting him permanent status as a U.S. resident. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to help John rejoin his family and find a 
home.

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