Archive for US DOS children’s issues
Thank You 52 US Senators and Congresspersons!
Posted by: | CommentsBarbara Boxer’s letter asking Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene on the behalf of over 800 children stuck in a dysfunctional adoption system in Guatemala was signed by 52 US Congresspersons and Senators. These children, some who have US visas to travel to go home to their families have been in limbo for over 18 months. These same children were to be grandfathered under the former adoption laws but that has not happened. The Guatemala900 has worked tirelessly to obtain these 52 signatures. Today, both the Prensa Libre and the Siglo 21 had articles regarding the letter. Both articles were neutral and did not go in to any detail. The English translation of the Prensa Libre article. The Siglo 21 asked for a comment from the PGN but they were unwilling to comment. The new adoption central authority’s comment was that these children, these 800+ children, are not under the new law and they have nothing to do with their cases. It is too early to tell how the children will be impacted by this letter and if they will be allowed to go home. Click here to see the letter and all 52 signatures!
The photos below are from a photo shoot this morning. We made thank you cards for the Senators and Congressperson thanking them for their support in helping the kids get home. I had to post the photos because the kids are just way too cute.
Thank you to EVERYONE who worked so hard on this campaign to alert US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to what is happening to these children and asking for her support.
To help support Semillas de Amor please go to SaveSemillas for more information on donations. Thank you.
The Guatemala900 Succeeds, 44 Signatures!!!
Posted by: | CommentsThe Guatemala900 group has work tirelessly to bring home the 800+ children still left in Guatemala and who the Guatemalan government had promised to grandfather in when the Hague Treaty, closing international adoption, came info effect. The children continue to be in limbo and families are missing valuable time with their children. The children have become political pawns between two governments, the United States and Guatemala. The US Department of State has taken next to no action on getting the children home. The grassroots group, The Guatemala900 (named after the number of children still stuck in limbo) have taken political action. Senator Barbara Boxer authored a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking for an intervention and an explanation. Once Senator Boxer signed on it was up to the Guatemala900 to get their Senators and Congress Representatives to get on board. The Guatemala900 is an amazing group and I am so proud and in awe of their work. I truly am proud to be an American as I watch how the voices of the people are heard. Now, let’s get the children home!
The list of Senators and Congressional Representatives that have signed the letter authored by Senator Boxer are:
SENATE SIGNATURES
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CA Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein
IA Chuck Grassley, Tom Harkin
IL Dick Durbin, Roland Burris
IN Richard Lugar
KS Pat Roberts, Sam Brownback
LA Mary Landrieu
MA John Kerry
MD Barbara Mukulski, Ben Cardin
MI Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow
MO Kit Bond
NJ Frank Lautenberg, Robert Menendez
OH George Voinavich, Sherwood Brown
PA Robert Casey
SD John Thune, Tim Johnson
HOUSE SIGNATURES
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CA Dan Lungren, Doris Matsui, Jane Harmon, Jerry McNerney, Mike Thompson
GA Jack Kingston
IA Tom Lathum
IL Daniel Lipinski, Jerry Costello
IN Dan Burton
KS Jerry Moran
KY Ben Chandler, Geoff Davis, John Yarmuth
MD Dutch Ruppersberger
MI Pete Hoekstra
MN Michelle Bachman
NJ Chris Smith
NY Jerrold Nadler
VA Jim Moran
WI Tammy Baldwin
