[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 1999, H.R. 2909

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the 
``Intercountry Adoption Act of 1999'' along with 36 of my colleagues. 
This is an important consumer measure that will protect American 
adoptive parents and the children from other nations they want to 
adopt.
  This bipartisan bill provides the Executive Branch with the necessary 
authorities to implement the Hague Convention on Protection of Children 
and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
  The Hague Convention was developed in response to abuses in the 
intercountry adoption process, including illegal child trafficking. The 
Hague Convention sets forth standards and procedures that can be 
recognized and followed by countries involved with intercountry 
adoptions. This legal framework provides protection to the adoptive 
children and their families by ensuring that agencies and individuals 
involved in the intercountry adoption process meet standards of 
competence, ethical behavior and financial soundness.
  Americans are widely engaged in international adoptions. American 
adopted over 13,000 children international in 1997. By adopting the 
system developed by the Hague Convention, we can ensure that these 
adoptions are completed with a minimal risk of fraud, child abuse or 
illegal child trafficking.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill adheres to two important principles. First, 
the legislation fully meets the requirements of the Hague Convention 
without attempting to reach beyond those requirements. Secondly, the 
bill does not override state laws on adoption except where it is 
absolutely necessary to conform with the Hague Convention.
  Under our bill, the State Department will monitor intercountry 
adoption cases and liaise with foreign governments on behalf of 
adoptive parents. In addition, State will maintain a case registry to 
track all adoptions involving immigration of a child into the U.S. and 
all adoptions involving emigration from the U.S. to any other 
Convention country.
  The bill also designates the Department of Health and Human Services 
with the responsibility of accrediting adoption service providers. In 
allows for HHS to designate one or more private, non-profit 
organizations to serve as accrediting entities. The bill also provides 
oversight authority and prescribes actions that can be taken by the 
Secretary of HHS should an accrediting agency or an accredited entity 
fail to comply with the standards.
  My intention is to promptly move ahead with this legislation and the 
International Relations Committee plans to hold hearings on this 
legislation in the near future. I greatly appreciate the interest and 
assistance provided by my colleagues in crafting this bill. I look 
forward to working with House members as we move this bill forward.

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