[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 24 (Monday, February 10, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ENDING RUSSIA'S BAN ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, as millions of Americans turn their 
attention to Sochi for the Winter Olympics, we cannot overlook Russia's 
continued ban on intercountry adoption.
  Every day, families across America eagerly await news that the 
Russians' ban on allowing American families to adopt Russian children 
has finally ended. Some families have decided to look at other places 
to adopt, but many are still committed to completing their adoptions. 
Families like the Thomases, from Minnetrista, Minnesota, have not given 
up hope in adopting their second child from Russia. In 2008, they 
completed an adoption for their son Jack. After a successful 
transition, they have now begun the process of adopting Jack's younger 
brother, Nikolai. Unfortunately, Russia's adoption ban has squashed any 
hopes of completing that adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, every child, no matter where he is born, should have the 
opportunity to grow up in a loving family. I urge my colleagues to 
continue fighting to end the Russian adoption ban and to let our 
families bring home their children.

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