Nick Lampson: “I rise today to continue my 1 minute on internationally abducted children. In December 1997, Rosana Wayson, at 3, was…”

“I rise today to continue my 1 minute on internationally abducted children. In December 1997, Rosana Wayson, at 3, was abducted to Germany by her mother. The German court overturned the U.S. court order guaranteeing Rosana daily visitation with her father, Mark, and made no provisions regarding future contact. Mark Wayson has not had any contact with his daughter since August of 1998. He has traveled to Germany 13 times in the last 2 years attempting to gain access to the legal system. The family court has refused to allow him to testify or to present evidence. In Rosana's case, the German government first refused to accept the Hague Convention application and later dismissed it summarily. Last Thursday I joined my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), and introduced a concurrent resolution urging signatories to uphold the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. This resolution was introduced with 126 original cosponsors, a powerful statement on the importance of this issue. Mr. Speaker, we must continue to put pressure on other countries that are Hague signatories that are not abiding by the Hague treaty. I urge my colleagues to join me in getting the message out and help bring our children home.”