Congress Introduces Bill to Help Orphans. You Can Help!

Much of the adoption community is getting behind a bill introduced in Congress at the end of June that would greatly streamline the efforts to give foreign-born adopted children the rights of citizenship of a US born citizen. As a father of foreign-born adopted children, this seems like a good piece of legislation that would be very helpful to families and children.

The FACE Act (Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act) is sponsored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) and Representatives Diane Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR). To read the act, you can go to: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3110/text. If you want to understand the impact of the bill, Small World has a pretty good summary on their website at: http://www.swa.net/news-detail.aspx?cid=2150

In addition, the Families for Orphans Coalition is calling on everyone with an interest in helping orphans find homes to call their Congressmen and Senators to encourage them to sign on as co-sponsors of the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act. Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff and tell them that as a constituent you are requesting their boss' support by becoming a Co-sponsor. You can direct the staffer to contact Senators Mary Landrieu and James Inhofe and Representatives Diane Watson and John Boozman for information on becoming a Co-sponsor. To find your Congressman or Senator go to: http://www.opencongress.org/ and click on "Senators" or "Representatives." Call them today to make your voice heard.

Together for Adoption Conference in Franklin

Christ Community Church in Franklin is hosting Together For Adoption Conference in October. Notice that childcare assistance is available. You can get more information at the Together for Adoption blog http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?page_id=14

Information below.

T4A Conference 2009
Date: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3, 2009
Location: Christ Community Church (Franklin, TN)
General Sesssion Speakers: Michael Easley, Russell Moore, Scott Roley, Maridel Sandberg, Scotty Smith, Ed Stetzer, and Dan CruverChildcare: Childcare will be provided - limited availability, additional fee.

Contact onsite Conference Coordinator, Debi Armstrong (debi.armstrong@comcast.net), if you have general questions about childcare. If you plan on utilizing childcare for more than 2 children, please contact Dan Cruver (dan.cruver@TogetherforAdoption.org).

I have been reluctant to jump on the bandwagon of some in the adoption community to protest the upcoming movie, "Orphan" from Warner Brothers. As an adoptive parent and adoption proponent, I don't appreciate the harsh light this movie shines on adoption. However, I think most people see it as a fictional horror flick and not a true-life adoption story. Also, I didn't see any need to help create a controversy that would ultimately promote the movie even more. Therefore I kept quiet.

Now, a new website actually turns the negativity of the movie on its head. Christian Alliance for Orphans built a website that uses the movie as an opportunity to advocate on behalf of orphans. The website (www.OrphansDeserveBetter.org) features a petition to Warner Bros about the movie, but it also has sections on:

• FACTS related to the plight of orphans
• YOUR ORPHAN STORY a way to share common experiences
• HOW YOU CAN SERVE places to plug in
• VIDEO MESSAGE a short, wonderful video that I highly recommend.

What a great "spin" on this movie. I highly recommend that you visit the site if you have any interest in adoption or orphan care. Thank you Christian Alliance for Orphans.