ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 107

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 17, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman COHEN

 

 

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the United States Department of State to adopt a guarantee of unimpeded access to orphaned and abandoned children by Americans as a tenet of foreign policy when negotiating treaties.

 

Whereas, The number of adoptions by American citizens of children born in other countries is increasing more rapidly than any other type of adoption in the United States. According to the National Council for Adoption (NCFA), in 1991 there were 9,008 foreign adoptions in the United States. More than 60%, or 5,409, of the children adopted were under one year of age; and

Whereas, In certain countries, war, political turmoil and economic circumstances contribute to a situation in which there are very few prospective individuals interested in adopting in comparison to the vast number of children in need of homes. In addition, few countries have designed laws in a way which facilitate the placement of children in permanent homes. Instead, children languish in orphanages or institutions where they suffer the effects of malnutrition, overcrowding, disease, abuse and neglect; and

Whereas, Political forces in countries where international adoptions are on the rise condemn the practice of "giving their children away" to foreigners, making it more difficult for individuals from outside these countries to adopt children in need of homes. In the United States, Congress has severely limited the scope of foreign adoptions by permitting entry to adoptees that fit the narrowly defined category of "orphan;" and

Whereas, Many individuals, such as single men and women and couples over the age of 40, find it difficult to adopt in this country and foreign adoptions afford them the only opportunity to create a permanent family. Certain countries have developed bilateral treaties or other agreements designed to govern adoptions between countries, but most of the cooperation which exists between the United States and other countries when dealing with international adoption issues is found on the adoption agency level; and

Whereas, In order to help individuals who are interested in adopting children from other countries, unimpeded access to orphaned and abandoned children should be guaranteed. To accomplish this goal, a legal framework should be established, through treaties or other agreements, in the United States and around the world that would maximize the potential for cooperation among the countries who have children to adopt and the countries whose citizens are interested in adopting those children and remove the barriers which hinder international adoptions; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. The United States Department of State is memorialized to adopt a guarantee of unimpeded access to orphaned and abandoned children by Americans as a tenet of foreign policy when negotiating treaties.

 

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly shall be transmitted to the presiding officers of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, the members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation and the Governor of the State of New Jersey.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This resolution memorializes the United States Department of State to adopt a guarantee of unimpeded access to orphaned and abandoned children by Americans as a tenet of foreign policy when negotiating treaties. The purpose of the resolution is to urge the federal government to help remove the legal barriers that make it so difficult for Americans to adopt children from other countries.

 

 

                             

 

Memorializes the U.S. Department of State to adopt a guarantee of unimpeded access to orphaned and abandoned children by Americans as a tenet of foreign policy when negotiating treaties.