[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000

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                               speech of

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2587) making 
     appropriations for the government of the District of Columbia 
     and other activities chargeable in whole or in part against 
     revenues of said District for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Largent 
amendment to H.R. 2587. This measure would undermine efforts to place 
children in the foster care system in the District of Columbia in 
permanent homes.
  There are currently over 3,000 children in the D.C. foster care 
system, more than 1,000 of whom are currently eligible for adoption. 
Many of these children have special needs and are difficult to place. 
No other development will have as great an impact on these children's 
lives as whether they will be able to be part of a family of their own. 
By placing restrictions on joint adoptions, the Largent amendment 
lessens the chance that these 3,000 children will ever be part of a 
``forever family.''
  The Largent amendment would also prevent child welfare workers from 
making decisions based on the best interests of individual children. 
The success of the child welfare system depends upon its ability to 
recognize that every waiting child has individual needs. The Largent 
amendment favors the judgment of Congress over that of child welfare 
professionals, who are experts at determining what constitutes a safe 
and loving home. Child advocacy organizations across the country, 
including the Children's Defense Fund and the Child Welfare League of 
America, also oppose this amendment and have recognized that it could 
endanger the future of over 3,000 children.
  Mr. Chairman, no event has so profoundly transformed my own family as 
the adoption of my children, Kathryn and Scott. I will always be deeply 
grateful that my wife and I were able to welcome these two exceptional 
children into our home. The Largent amendment could prevent other 
families from experiencing this joy, and I urge my colleagues to oppose 
it.

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