January 27th, 2012
Dear Advocates for Ethical Adoption Practice in NM:
We got our “Do Pass” out of Senate Public Affairs Committee today with your help. Thank you for your passion and commitment to getting this ethical adoption passed.
We’re on to Senate Judiciary (below) - this SATURDAY JAN 28th but for sure Monday Jan 30th. From now on watch your email LIKE A HAWK as things may move fast during the remaining two weeks of this short-session and we need your help and that of those you know to get this passed!.
Please let members of this committee know how you’re connected to the adoption community and why ethical adoption practice is important to you. Paste pictures of your children into your emails or speak passionately of how important it is to you that birth parents, adoptees and adoptive parents are supported in an ethical, fully legal adoption process in our State.
To see the full legislation go to www.nmlegis.gov Legislation SB 27
RECAP OF THE PROBLEM Over the last ten years, adoption in New Mexico has fallen prey to profit-driven, out of state adoption businesses not licensed here. NM licensed professionals and vulnerable residents involved in an adoption process often face a serious crisis. These Predatory adoption businesses attract unsuspecting birth parents and adoptive parents to them through large-scale advertising. They provide informal but costly adoption services for months. They wait until the last moment to contact NM licensed professionals to furnish the minimum legally required adoption service. They promise mothers money for surrendering their baby for adoption. That is child trafficking! With much hanging in the balance, we discover at the last most vulnerable moments that those involved in these predatory adoption processes have been misinformed of the facts involved in their adoption process, and their rights and requirements in adoption.
See the fast-facts sheet below for how SB27 will help restore ethical adoption practice in New Mexico.
| 1) Call Senator Ryan’s legislative office at 986-4373 and thank him for sponsoring SB27. 2) Call (weekdays) or email ASAP the members of Senate Judiciary Committee (below). Ask them to VOTE YES on SB27 sponsored by Senator John Ryan. Include your name and your address. Committees represent the whole state so it does not matter if you are in their district. If you can, please attend this committee meeting to stand in support of SB27. It would be nice to have friendly support with us! It’s preferable to send a separate letter or email addressed to each committee member but if you are short on time you send an email to all committee members at the same time by: 1) highlighting all the email addresses in the last column (sometimes you can’t do this unless you have clicked on “reply to sender firs”). 2) click on “copy” 3) “paste” the email addresses into “Bcc” (preferable) or “To” on your email page. (Send a copy to yourself) so your letter will be ready to when SB27 reaches the next committee. You can also cut and paste our flyer into your letter if you want. If you send a group email, address it to: Mr. Chairman, Members of Senate Judiciary Committee : SENATE JUDICIARY Meets Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays – 2:30 p.m. - Room 321 |
| Name of Senator / Role on Senate Judiciary Committee | District / County | Capitol Phone | Email |
| Sen. Richard C. Martinez, Chair | Dist. 5, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe Co. | 986-4487 | |
| Sen. Peter Wirth, Vice Chair | Dist 25, Santa Fe | 986-4276 | |
| Sen. Lisa Curtis | Dist 21, Bernalillo & Sandoval | 986 4589 | |
| Sen. Tim Eichenberg, member | Dist. 15, Bernalillo | 986-4859 | |
| Sen. Eric G. Griego | Dist. 14, Bernalillo & Valencia | 986-4862 | |
| Sen. Clinton D. Harden | Dist. 7, Colfax, Curry, Quay, San Miguel, Taos & Union | 986-4369 | |
| Sen. Linda M. Lopez | Dist. 11, Bernalillo | 986-4737 | |
| Sen. Cisco McSorley | Dist. 16, Bernalillo | 986-4389 | |
| Sen. Sander Rue | Dist. 23, Bernalillo & Sandoval | 986-4375 | |
| Sen. John C. Ryan | Dist. 10, Bernalillo & Sandoval | 986-4373 | |
| Sen. Michael S. Sanchez | Dist. 29, Valencia | 986-4727 | |
| Sen. William H. Payne | Dist. 20, Bernalillo | 986-4703 |
