To express the sense of the Senate regarding the use of funds for orphans, and displaced and abandoned children.

SA 1245. Ms. LANDRIEU proposed an amendment 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; 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).
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