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TEXAS ADOPTEE ACTIVISM |
The 1997 open records bill
proposed in Texas, HB 1835 and SB 1445, died a peaceful death. This bill
would have opened the original birth certificate to the
adult adoptee on demand. While the bill did not get out
of committee, we did manage to identify some of our
allies and lay the groundwork for future outreach and
education. We were successful in getting a completely
ineffectual CI provision removed from a larger adoption
bill which was favored by Governor Bush. This provision
would have done nothing more than allow judges to appoint
CIs (Confidential Intermediaries), a right they already
have. The provision was a direct attempt to forestall
future, progressive open records bills. Once the CI
provision was stripped, there was an attempt to have the
real open records provisions added to the larger adoption
bill. Unfortunately this amendment was voted down after a
House Representative broke down crying while relating
that she knew of a birthmother who had committed suicide
out of fear of being found by her relinquished child. Go
figure. If you were born or adopted in Texas,
relinquished in Texas, live in Texas now, have an adopted
child in Texas, an adopted spouse, family member or SO
from Texas, please write to your
state representatives to let them know that you support
open records for adult adoptees as a civil rights issue.
Let them know that you vote and that their stand
on this issue will affect your and your family's vote. It
is a big deal when a legislator gets more than 6 letters
on one particular bill. If every one of you were to
write, it would make a *huge* difference. The opposition
has highly paid lobbyists who are paid to spread lies
about open records. They are being paid so that special
interests can continue getting big bucks for selling
secrets and lies. How many people are there out there who
don't even know they're adopted thanks to the secrecy
these special interests purvey?
If you would like to fax your support of open records, the fax number for all members of the TX legislature is 512-463- 5896. Of particular improtance is the Jurisprudence Committee, and the following members need to be targeted: Rodney Ellis 512-463-0113 rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us David Cain 512-463-0102 david.cain@senate.state.tx.us Robert Duncan 512-463-0128 robert.duncan@senate.state.tx.us Gregory Luna 512-463-0126 gregory.luna@senate.state.tx.us Steve Ogden 512-463-0105 steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us Jeff Wentworth 512-463-0125 jeff.wentworth@senate.state.tx.us |
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Please send e-mail to the following Texas Senators and Representatives to support open records for adult adoptees!
Rep. Toby Goodman (chair). Phone: 512-463-0562 email: toby.goodman@house.state.tx.us Todd Staples (vice chair) 512-463-0592 todd.staples@house.state.tx.us Jesse Jones 512-463-0668 jesse.jones@house.state.tx.us Ruth McClendon 512-463-0708 ruth.mcclendon@house.state.tx.us Arthur Reyna 512-463-0642 arthur.reyna@house.state.tx.us Todd Smith 512-463-0522 todd.smith@house.state.tx.us Thomas Williams 512-463-0550 thomas.williams@house.state.tx.us Check out Governor George Bush Jr.'s homepage. He has threatened to veto any open records bill that comes across his desk. Sounds like he could use some education, eh? Texas BNer webpages:Mary Block-Baker Tina Clark Dixie Tidwell |
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