[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E119-E120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF A PRIVATE RELIEF BILL FOR LEILANI WINNEFRED TOOLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce legislation to 
grant permanent residence to Leilani Tooley.

[[Page E120]]

  Leilani was adopted from China when she was less than one year old to 
a United States citizen father and a Micronesian mother. Through the 
1980's when Leilani was a child, her father was a teacher, traveling 
throughout the Marshall Islands. Due to a translation error in China, 
an attempt to convey resident status upon Leilani was denied.
  Leilani and her parents moved to the United States in 1992. Leilani 
was admitted as a CFA/FSM resident which allows her to remain in the 
United States legally but does not allow her to attend postsecondary 
school or to become a permanent resident or citizen. From 1992 through 
1998, Leilani was eligible for citizenship by virtue of her living in 
the United States and being the adopted daughter of a United States 
citizen. Unfortunately, the naturalization process was never completed 
prior to her father's death in 1998. When her father passed away, 
Leilani's permanent resident mother began the naturalization process 
herself so that when completed, she could then convey permanent 
residence to her daughter. Unfortunately, Leilani's mother died in 
1999, prior to her being naturalized.
  Leilani is now alone in this country with no living relatives. She 
cannot return to China since she speaks no Chinese and she was released 
from that country when she was less than a year old, and she cannot 
return to the Pacific Islands since she was Chinese at birth. All of 
Leilani's friends and schoolmates are in the United States and it is 
only due to a string of unfortunate events that Leilani is not today a 
naturalized citizen. Leilani is a bright, industrious young lady, whose 
wish is to attend college. However, until this legislation is signed 
into law, her aspirations are on hold. I urge the swift passage of this 
bill, Mr. Speaker, to grant permanent residence to Leilani Tooley.

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