Mike Collins: “I appreciate the two gentlemen from Texas, and I appreciate the kind words so far on this bill. This is something, Madam…”

“I appreciate the two gentlemen from Texas, and I appreciate the kind words so far on this bill. This is something, Madam Speaker, that we can definitely rise in support of, and I appreciate the kind words that have been spoken so far. I rise in support my legislation, H.R. 1952, the Intercountry Adoption Information Act. This legislation is a critical step forward in ensuring American families have access to the information they need to pursue adoptions from a foreign country. American families hoping to adopt internationally face many obstacles on the road to being united with their adoptive children. Too often, these challenges require parents to navigate confusing and complicated foreign adoption practices. I have witnessed firsthand how families in my home State of Georgia have struggled to navigate shifting adoption policies and changing international standards. In 2012, Pam and Mark Romano, a family in northwest Georgia, traveled to Russia in hopes of adopting a young boy named Bogdon. This was not a quick decision, but one that required months and months of thoughtful prayer and family discussion. While overseas, the Romanos discovered that Bogdon had a brother, Yura. Although the boys were living separately, the family immediately felt a calling to welcome both boys into their home, and they began the process of adopting Yura as well.…”