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Bring Home the Bac Lieu Orphans

16 Orphans in Bac Lieu Need to Come Home Now!

I am a constituent and voter living in your district. I am writing today to ask for your help in solving a problem I care deeply about. There are sixteen American families who have been trying to complete the adoption of sixteen orphan children living in Bac Lieu, Vietnam.



These adoptions have been delayed in large part due to the Department of State?s insistence that these cases can only proceed once Vietnam becomes a full Hague partner, implementing the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to the satisfaction of the United States. The sixteen American families were assured by the US Government in August 2008, prior to accepting their referral that they would be allowed to complete their pipeline case under the terms of the expiring Memorandum of Agreement. Please understand that waiting for Hague could take months or even years -- time these children should be spending in loving families.



It is undisputed that these children are orphans. However, due to the changing laws and shifting political landscape, there has been an unwillingness to find a solution that is in the best interest of the children. I am asking you to help solve this problem by doing the following:



* Please ask Secretary of State Clinton to take a personal interest in resolving this situation. Please express to the Secretary how important innocent children?s lives are to you and ask for her help in resolving this situation immediately;

* Please send a letter to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vietnam informing him of your support for the speedy resolution of these cases. Also, ask him to make these cases a top priority to unite these parents with their children immediately; and

* Please speak publicly about your support for these American families and their children.



I know that you entered politics out of a desire to be a public servant and truly make a difference in people?s lives. This is your chance to do just that. The lives of 16 children are depending upon you. I look forward to your help in solving this problem.