Adoption is such a blessing both for children in need of a loving home and folks longing to start a family or expand one. Unfortunately, red tape and legal complications can cause heartaches for families wanting to adopt. As a member of the Congressional Adoption Caucus, I know how difficult this process can be, especially when other countries are involved.

The United States and Guatemala have joined the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions. The U.S. is working to ratify the Convention, making sure that ALL adoption agencies are accredited and establishing safeguards to protect the best interests of the children each agency represents. Guatemala has not implemented its own Convention laws, but recently passed a law stating that it would stop processing adoptions with countries that are not full members of the Hague Convention by Dec. 31 2007, which includes the United States.

For the sake of Guatemalan children in need of parents and the many families in Tennessee who could be affected, I have signed letters addressed to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF that encourage an interim plan to permit adoption cases currently in progress to proceed without the additional Hague Convention requirements. The letters also encourage the Guatemalan government to provide better medical care for children in the orphanages.

Children in every country deserve a good home with parents who love them. I will continue to work with my colleagues to do all I can to support international adoption and help place children with nurturing families.