[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION ACT

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                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to join my colleagues from 
both sides of the aisle today in introducing the Intercountry Adoption 
Act. By providing for the implementation of the Hague Convention, this 
legislation will help unite American families with waiting children 
from around the world.
  For years, American families have reached across cultural and 
national boundaries to embrace children through international adoption. 
In 1998 alone, almost 16,000 children were adopted by Americans from 
abroad. By signing the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children 
and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the United States 
and over 60 other nations recognized the importance of international 
adoption. The Hague Convention creates a structure to strengthen 
cooperation among nations in adoption and protects adoptive families 
from fraud and abuse.
  Although the United States signed the Hague Convention in 1994, 
Congress has yet to ratify and implement the Convention. The 
Intercountry Adoption Act, by providing for the enactment of the Hague 
Convention, would strengthen the process that builds thousands of 
international adoptive families every year. Our legislation sends a 
strong signal that the United States is committed to providing 
permanent homes for its own children and for children all across the 
globe.
  Mr. Speaker, the Hague Convention promotes cooperation among national 
governments, but its most significant impact is deeply personal. My own 
family was forever changed and enriched by the adoption of our two 
children from Korea. I am profoundly grateful to have Kathryn and Scott 
in my life. The legislation we introduce today will allow me to express 
my gratitude by aiding efforts to unite every waiting child in every 
nation with a ``forever family.''

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