S.Amdt. 1236

SA 1236. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill H.R. 3057, making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 326, between lines 10 and 11, insert the following:

ORPHANS, AND DISPLACED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN

Sec. 6113. (a) Congress--

(1) reaffirms its commitment to the founding principle of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, that a child, for the full and harmonious development of the child's personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding;

(2) recognizes that each State should take, as a matter of priority, every appropriate measure to enable a child to remain in the care of the child's family of origin, but when not possible should strive to place the child in a permanent and loving home through adoption;

(3) affirms that intercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a family cannot be found in the child's State of origin;

(4) affirms that long-term foster care or institutionalization are not permanent options and should therefore only be used when no other permanent options are available; and

(5) recognizes that programs that protect and support families can reduce the abandonment and exploitation of children.

(b) The funds appropriated under title III of this Act shall be made available in a manner consistent with the principles described in subsection (a).