Nick Lampson: “I rise today to tell the House about Joseph Cook and his children Daniel and Michelle. Their story is one of the most…”

“I rise today to tell the House about Joseph Cook and his children Daniel and Michelle. Their story is one of the most heartwrenching I have ever heard. In 1992, Joseph's ex-wife took his children to Germany on what was supposed to be a brief visit. Shortly after they left, he was told by Christiane that she was not coming back and that he would not see his children again. Christiane had been suffering from depression, had checked herself into a clinic, and placed Daniel and Michelle into the German foster care system. The German foster care system made no attempt to contact Joseph. In 1993, Christiane returned to the United States but left Danny and Michelle in German foster care. Mr. Cook went to Germany with a full custody order in 1994, but the German courts have refused to return his children and the foster family has been extremely uncooperative. Mr. Speaker, Danny and Michelle are being left to languish in a foster care system when they have a father who loves them and desperately wants to be with them. Joseph Cook served in the United States Army, and I am urging this House to serve him in return. Pass H. Con. Res. 298 and help bring our children home.”