[Deedee21]

Most of us here know that adoption in this country is in a national crisis, and for the most part, no one is noticing, no one is doing anything and the media is unaware.

I believe, that unless we focus the light of public dismay on this tragedy, in years to come, fewer and fewer children will be adopted, will languish in foster care or other temporary care situations and thousands of lives will be less than they might have been.

I'm one of those children. Bounced from foster home to foster home when my adoptive home fell apart due to alcohol and abuse. I know that one person can make a difference because ONE person made a difference in my life and helped me understand that life is precious and my life was a precious Gift
that I could and did change.

Please, care enough to do something, make a phone call, write a letter.

I'm talking with folks in Senator Orrin Hatch's office on the national issues that are hurting our nations' children. He is publicly very pro adoption, and has staff that work on this directly. The contact person there is Evan Liddiard, 202 224 5251. While I've spoken at length to many in his office, I've not yet spoken to Evan, but am told he is 'the man' to help.

Please help me. I'd like to hear from adopting families in every state about what states have or are cutting out of state adoptions, post adoption services, etc. I now that Ohio has cut most adoption programs almost to non existence.

We can and MUST take action here folks. If billions can be spent on a war in the Middle East, we can make those in power divert funds back to adoption for our children's future.

My challenge to each of you:

1) Write up what you are aware of in your home state. Send letters written in an 'urgent' mode to your Congressman, Senators, Governor in Texas and in your home states, and, if you can, cc them to me so I have a complete file.
If there is personal information that you'd rather not have me see, please give me an edited version with 'personal information given/not copied' in the appropriate spots. Email: Deedee@IAsk4Kids.org

2) Contact local media, TV, Radio, Newspapers and urge them to give this national adoption crisis local and national coverage. It helps to focus on the areas that will appeal to the public, children who've had a hard start in life being left in limbo. It may help to point out that billions are being spent on the war, while children are paying a high price for this war and the lack of funds.

3) Write letters to Governor Rick Perry (Tx) and Senator Kay Baily
Hutchinson (who is herself an adoptive mom) insisting that those children who have waiting families be allowed to go home immediately rather than sitting in limbo for many more months. There are at least 73 families stuck in limbo with no time line as to when their children can come home.


Here is some contact info for Texas folks:

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson can be emailed at:
casework@hutchison.senate.gov. her mailing address:
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
961 Pickle Federal Building
300 E 8th Street
Austin, TX
78701
.
Her Washington phone number: 202 224 5922. Her San Antonio office: 210 340 2885

Governor Rick Perry:
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Citizen's Assistance and Opinion Hotline: (512) 463-1782

Congressman Ron Paul: url for sending
email: http://www.house.gov/paul/mail/welcome.htm

Washington, DC:
203 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone Number: (202) 225-2831


Texas Lt Governor David Dewhurst
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
512 463-0001
Url to send email: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/LtGov/Contact.htm


There seems to be a general feeling among adoptive families that none of us can 'change things'. This concerns me as this is exactly how those in power making bad choices for our children can continue to do what they do, unchallenged. From past experience I KNOW that if people care enough, and make a commitment to do ONE THING each day to change a particular thing that change can happen, locally and nationally and world wide.

I appreciate and understand that all of us on these lists care deeply about children and spend many hours each day working hard for children. But this, folks, is BIGGER than any of us personally.

Many hands (and brains) working together can create LARGE change. It's simply a matter of doing one thing at a time towards that end.

Please, care enough to do something, make a phone call, write a letter, send an email.

respectfully
Deedee
When people challenge why I do what I do (adopting children) and why I think it matters, I often reply: It made a difference to THAT one child.