THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 6, 2000
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Today I have signed into law H.R. 2909, the "Intercountry Adoption Act
of 2000." This Act will implement the Hague Convention on Protection of
Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. I am
pleased that the Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the
Convention on September 20, 2000.
The United States and 65 other countries came together to negotiate
the Convention in response to abuses in the intercountry adoption process,
including illegal child trafficking. By setting uniform standards, the
Convention better protects the rights and interests of children, birth
parents, and adoptive parents involved in intercountry adoption.
In its preamble, the Convention recognizes that children should grow
up in a family environment and that properly safeguarded intercountry
adoption offers the advantage of a permanent family to children who cannot
readily be placed with a suitable family in their country of origin. The
United States actively participated in the preparation and negotiation of
this Convention, with the guidance and participation of representa-tives of
U.S. adoption and family law interests. Since the United States signed the
Convention in 1994, several ratifying countries have expressed the view
that they would prefer that their children emigrate only to countries that
have agreed to comply with the Hague Convention?s safeguards and
procedures. As a result, the U.S. adoption community has supported U.S.
implementing legislation. This bill will ensure the full and uniform
implementation of the Convention throughout the United States.
Adoption is an emotional event. With the complexities of
international law and procedures, these cases are often overwhelming for
the families involved. The Hague Convention and the implementing
legislation will provide protections for children and parents engaged in
intercountry adoption and will help ensure a standard of service that all
families deserve.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE,
October 6, 2000.
# # #
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore
Record of Progress | The Briefing Room
Gateway to Government | Contacting the White House | White House for Kids
White House History | White House Tours | Help
Privacy Statement