HOUSE RESOLUTION 578 APRIL 6, 2006

CONCERNING THE GOVERNMENT OF ROMANIA’S BAN ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS AND THE WELFARE OF ORPHANED OR ABANDONED CHILDREN IN ROMANIA

H. Res. 578

In the House of Representatives

April 6, 2006.

• Expresses support for the government of Romania's desire to improve the standard of care and well-being of children in Romania.
• Urges the government of Romania to: (1) complete the processing of certain intercountry adoption cases; and (2) amend its child welfare and adoption laws to decrease adoption barriers.
• Urges the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to work with the government of Romania to achieve these ends.
• Requests that the European Union (EU) and its member states not impede the government of Romania's efforts to place orphaned or abandoned children in permanent homes in a manner that is consistent with Romania's obligations under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.