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TechnographBill to give adoptees closure
By Paolo Cisneros
Posted: 4/9/08 Section: News
Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, has never seen her birth certificate. She wants to, but for adopted individuals like Feigenholtz, obtaining a copy of one's birth certificate is prohibited by Illinois state law.
Now, dozens of years after she was adopted, Feigenholtz has introduced a bill that would allow adult adoptees in Illinois to obtain their birth certificates on the condition that their biological parents do not object.
"I believe it's the first chapter in my life, and it's something I should have," she said.
The House Adoption Reform Committee recently passed the bill by a vote of eight to one and is currently awaiting a vote by the General Assembly. Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, is also co-sponsoring the bill.
Feigenholtz said the bill aims to provide adoptees with the closure of finally knowing who they are and not at facilitating an adoptee's search for his or her biological parents.
"The bill that I'm proposing is not about search and reunion," she said. "It's a piece of legislation about obtaining a document."
A separate, state-sponsored program exists for adoptees interested in searching for their biological parents, she said.
For Feigenholtz, obtaining a copy of her birth certificate is about learning her original name so that she knows her complete life story. For others, a birth certificate represents more than a name.
David Goat, 52, of North Pomfret, Vt., thinks he was born in Springfield, Ill., but has no way of being certain since he cannot obtain a copy of his birth certificate.
"There are developmental stages in children, and one of those stages is when the child's mind can abstract enough to say, 'Where do I come from?'" said Estrella Berosini, Goat's girlfriend. "By not allowing these people access to their birth certificates, we're interfering with their development which, in any other scenario, would be considered abuse."
Despite support from individuals like Feigenholtz and Goat, the bill faced opposition from Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton., during its time in committee.
Now, dozens of years after she was adopted, Feigenholtz has introduced a bill that would allow adult adoptees in Illinois to obtain their birth certificates on the condition that their biological parents do not object.
"I believe it's the first chapter in my life, and it's something I should have," she said.
The House Adoption Reform Committee recently passed the bill by a vote of eight to one and is currently awaiting a vote by the General Assembly. Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, is also co-sponsoring the bill.
Feigenholtz said the bill aims to provide adoptees with the closure of finally knowing who they are and not at facilitating an adoptee's search for his or her biological parents.
"The bill that I'm proposing is not about search and reunion," she said. "It's a piece of legislation about obtaining a document."
A separate, state-sponsored program exists for adoptees interested in searching for their biological parents, she said.
For Feigenholtz, obtaining a copy of her birth certificate is about learning her original name so that she knows her complete life story. For others, a birth certificate represents more than a name.
David Goat, 52, of North Pomfret, Vt., thinks he was born in Springfield, Ill., but has no way of being certain since he cannot obtain a copy of his birth certificate.
"There are developmental stages in children, and one of those stages is when the child's mind can abstract enough to say, 'Where do I come from?'" said Estrella Berosini, Goat's girlfriend. "By not allowing these people access to their birth certificates, we're interfering with their development which, in any other scenario, would be considered abuse."
Despite support from individuals like Feigenholtz and Goat, the bill faced opposition from Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton., during its time in committee.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
RegularGuy
posted 4/09/08 @ 12:24 PM CST
There is another compelling reason to allow adoptees to learn about their biological parents. When the current law was enacted, medical science knew very little about the genetic links to certain diseases. (Continued…)
David Goat
posted 4/09/08 @ 7:55 PM CST
Thank you for speaking up about the medical history of adopted people. The children have no rights at such a young age. Maybe all decisions should be held off until the children become adults and are then considered human beings. (Continued…)
Estrella Berosini
posted 4/09/08 @ 8:42 PM CST
As far as we know, human beings are the only species on earth interested in their heritage. Unique, and intrinsic; wanting to know one's ancestors is a defining characteristic of what it is to be human. (Continued…)
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