Richard Burr: “last summer I introduced legislation with Representative Ballenger that approached this issue differently than H.R. 2909…”

“last summer I introduced legislation with Representative Ballenger that approached this issue differently than H.R. 2909 as introduced. Through the committee process, however, we were able to reach a compromise between H.R. 2342 and H.R. 2909. Through the efforts of Chairman Gilman and Ranking Member Gejdenson the legislation we are considering today takes the best of both bills, and I would like to thank them for their hard work in moving the process forward. I would also like to thank Representative Delahunt, who perhaps more than anyone in this body appreciates the positive impact this legislation can have. He is to be commended for his role in the process as well. I would like to extend a special thank you to those parents of children adopted from overseas who contacted me with their concerns and for sharing their experiences with me. Their input was critically important, and I appreciate their active interest in this legislation and the process we have gone through. It is an unfortunate reality that there are people willing to exploit the vulnerability of needy children and their prospective parents. The willingness of these families to go through the international adoption process, despite its flaws, is testimony to their character. The passage of this legislation affirms our commitment to creating a framework that better protects children and their families in the future.”