Political Quotes

“replacing a void in a child's life or a parent's life and filling it with love and laughter is one of the most wonderful gifts in the world. As twice an adoptive mother, I know this joy firsthand. And also I believe it is our duty as legislators to work with adoption and foster care advocates to break down barriers, to bring more children and families together. Today we have the opportunity to knock down a barrier to improve the lives of these kids right here in America. Right now, children are waiting as long as a year for paperwork to go through the system before they can be placed with a family. Imagine, Mr. Speaker, paperwork standing in the way of a permanent, loving home for a 100,000 lingering, at-risk kids. There is no excuse, and we can change it. This legislation will expedite the safe placement of children into homes even across State lines by instituting a 60-day deadline and giving financial incentives for States to process the paperwork quickly. I commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) for his leadership on this most-important issue. He has been a devout advocate for foster kids and foster families as long as I have known him. I also want to thank Chairman Herger and Mr. Stark for their assistance on this bill. Thousands of kids are waiting to walk into the arms of a loving family and through the door of a permanent home.…”