[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18911]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             THE HAGUE CONVENTION ON PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, countless Americans will welcome the news 
that the Senate last night ratified the Treaty of the Hague Convention 
on Protection of Children and cooperation in Respect of Intercountry 
Adoption. This Treaty was approved by our Foreign Relations Committee 
in April.
  In addition, the Senate also approved unanimous final passage of the 
Intercountry Adoption Implementation Act--which was likewise 
unanimously approved by the House of Representatives this past Monday.
  I offered the Intercountry Adoption Implementation act a year ago--
along with Senator Landrieu, because this legislation will provide, for 
the first time, a rational structure for intercountry adoption.
  Mr. President, this significant legislation is intended to build some 
accountability into agencies that provide intercountry adoption 
services in the United States while strengthening the hand of the 
Secretary of State in ensuring that U.S. adoption agencies engage in an 
ethical manner to find homes for children.
  In addition, Mr. President, both the Senate and the House agreed that 
sole responsibility for implementing the requirements of the Hague 
Convention, rests with the U.S. Secretary of State. Although, some 
advocated early on, a role for various government agencies, I believe 
that spreading responsibility among various agencies would have 
undermined the effective implementation of the Hague Convention.
  Mr. President, passage of this significant legislation would not have 
been possible without the assistance from several talented people in 
both the Senate and House.
  In particular, of course, I extend my sincere appreciation to Senator 
Landrieu (and her staff). Senator Landrieu and I have worked together 
on issues of adoption since her arrival in the Senate in 1997.
  Senator Biden, ranking minority member of the Foreign Relations 
Committee, has been exceedingly helpful (as has his staff) in 
finalizing the Intercountry Adoption Implementation Act.
  It's always a privilege to work with our colleagues in the House--and 
especially regarding passage of this Act. The Honorable Bill Gilman, 
the distinguished chairman of the House International Relations 
Committee; Congressman Sam Gejdenson, ranking minority member on the 
House International Relations; Congressmen Dave Camp and William 
Delahunt; and, last but by no means least, my good friend, Congressman 
Richard Burr--who offered the original Senate companion bill in the 
House.
  From my own Senate family, the former legislative counsel for the 
Foreign Relations Committee (now counsel for Senate Intelligence), 
Patricia McNerney; and Michele DeKonty, the very special lady who, in 
every sense, my right-hand lady.
  Mr. President, this legislation now goes to President Clinton. I am 
hopeful that ratification and implementation of the Hague Convention 
will encourage more intercountry adoptions, while protecting all who 
are involved in the process.

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