McHenry County Blog

As you can see below, Congressman Peter Roskam has used his office to pressure the Russian government on adoption:

Roskam, Bipartisan Group meets with Russian Ambassador to Push for End to Ban on Russian Adoptions

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) and a group of bipartisan members met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak to press the Russian government on its recent ban of all adoptions of Russian children by American families.  The ban went into effect on January 1, 2013, preventing hundreds of families in various stages of adoption from completing the process.

Peter Roskam

“This adoption ban has been heartbreaking for so many American families, including families in my District who were on the verge of opening up their homes to Russian children just before the ban,” said Roskam.  “I and my colleagues pushed the Russian Ambassador to at least let current adoption cases go through where the families have met and bonded with the child.  In the absence of rejecting the ban entirely, the Russian government should at least allow these children’s adoptions to be completed.”

The Russian Adoption ban was enacted shortly after the U.S. passed the Magnitsky Act, which imposes U.S. travel and financial restrictions on human rights abusers in Russia.  Roskam has signed letters to both President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the adoption ban and is a cosponsor of H.Res 24, expressing House of Representatives’ deep disappointment in the Russian decision.

“It is unfortunate that in making a political statement against the United States, the Russian government is essentially abandoning thousands of Russian orphans that have little hope of adoption in their home country,” said Roskam.  “I will continue to fight for the families, and work with our Department of State to resolve the issue so that families can bring the children they have met and bonded with home.”

Click here to read the bipartisan letter to President Obama on the adoption ban, and here to read the bipartisan letter sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Rockford Diocese covers McHenry County. Today its Catholic Charities announced that it would no longer assist the State of Illinois in finding adoptive families for wards of the state.

The reason?

The new civil unions law that takes effect on June 1st.

Four of seven offices will close as a result.  The one in McHenry will remain open.

Here’s what was said at the press conference:

PENNY WIEGERT: Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. I would like to introduce to you members of the administration here in the Rockford Diocese relevant to this announcement.

INTRODUCTIONS:

PENNY: In its early history, many Catholic Charities agencies, including the one here in the Diocese of Rockford‐‐ which serves 11 counties here across the northern part of Illinois‐‐served as orphanages to care for the most vulnerable children in their communities. Today, Catholic Charities continues that tradition of caring for children through foster care and adoption services. Our local services to children and families in this regard date back 100 years and more.

Catholic Charities, like many other private agencies in Illinois, recruit and train foster parents to be licensed by the state of Illinois. Children are then placed with those trained and licensed foster parents. Caseworkers from Catholic Charities provide the monitoring, case work and social services to the children. Catholic Charities is funded by the state for these services. The quality, compassion and professionalism with which these services are provided are guided by the mission, vision and teaching of the Catholic Church.

In fact, the official mission of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rockford is this…Catholic Charities continues the ministry of Jesus in faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church. Our mission is

• to serve God for the common good with compassion, dignity and respect;
• to assist people in achieving a degree of independence consonant with their human dignity; and
• to work in solidarity with the Church and other people of good will in advocating for justice.

On June 1, 2011 the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act will take effect.

This new law may allow unmarried cohabitating couples, whether same‐sex or opposite sex, to apply for adoptions and licenses to become foster parents. As you may know, the Catholic Church does not condone same‐sex unions or unmarried cohabitation between individuals of the opposite sex.

We believe in the natural order of marriage and the Sacrament of Matrimony between one man and one woman. We also believe and promote the optimal God‐given privilege of every child to be reared in a safe and loving family with a committed and loving male father and female mother whenever possible.

Catholic Charities and other religious agencies implored the State of Illinois to allow their agencies to refer civil union couples to other adoption and foster care agencies so as to not violate the moral teachings of their faith.

Tragically, that did not happen. The state legislature failed to pass an explicit amendment exempting religious entities from the application of the civil unions law in its state‐funded adoption and foster care programs. Despite the tireless efforts of the state’s Catholic Charities directors including Mr. Vonch, and the lobbying efforts of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the exemption failed.

Because of this failure and the anticipated legal challenges it will present to our free exercise of religion, the Diocese of Rockford is forced to permanently discontinue all state‐funded adoption and foster care operations as of June 1, 2011.

FRANK VONCH: Because of this action, our agency will begin transitioning families from the care of Catholic Charities as directed by DCFS. This morning, I had the very heartbreaking task of informing 58 dedicated foster care and adoption workers that their professional services will no longer be required due to this closure. These workers are spread through‐out our offices in two regions—one in the East with offices in Aurora, Elgin and McHenry. Our western Region has offices in Rockford, Freeport, Belvidere and Sterling.

Our caseworkers do this work not just because it’s their job, but because it is their calling.

The children and families they serve are just an extension of their commitment to our mission, which serving children is at its basic core, so it is a very grave loss for them as well as for everyone involved with charities.

Beginning today, employees will spend the next weeks preparing to transition their cases to the care of other agencies.

We currently serve about 350 children and 191 foster families.

Currently, as I just mentioned, Catholic Charities has seven offices across the 11‐county diocese.

When this transition and redefinition of services is complete, we will have one office in Rockford and one in Aurora and one in McHenry.

Earlier this morning, the affected employees along with all diocesan clergy, parishes and schools were informed of this unfortunate, but necessary action.

While we understand leaving this work will be very painful for our client families, employees, volunteers, donors and prayerful supporters, we can no longer contract with the State of Illinois whose laws would force us to participate in activity offensive to the moral teachings of the church—teachings which compel us to do this work in the first place.

Services no longer offered by Catholic Charities include:

• State‐funded Foster Care including counseling of foster children and special programming
• State‐funded Adoption Services including adoption counseling
• State‐funded parenting classes
• State‐funded extended family support program
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

All non‐state funded services will not be affected. Those include

• Private adoption
• School counseling
• Private family and marriage counseling
• Bilingual Outreach Program
• Outreach and Emergency Services
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

What you see above is the series of messages on the electronic sign on Route 47 in front of the McHenry County Treasurer’s Office.

They promote the Crystal Lake Animal Control facility, which, apparently, can provide not only pets, but rabies shots and electronic chips so that lost cats and dogs can be returned to their owners.

The contract number is 815-459-6222 or, if you want to speak to the woman who showed me the dog and cats below, call Kara Plonczynski at 815-334-4946.

This playful American Bulldog had knee operations, but is so playful.

A fifteen second video is what is really needed to show the energy his American bulldog has. An $80 adoption fee brings him home.

American bulldog playing with Kara Plonxynski.

And, now for the kitties.

There were four in the room I toured.

This satin black cat seems to be saying, "I'm too good for you."

While the black cat was still lying lazily in its carpet-lined log, this black and white one was on the move.

As the black and white cat sat looking at me, the brown tabby that was sharing its bed turned its head to see what all of the fuss was about.

The black and white cat knows what suckers we humans are for cats that brush against our legs. The black cat seems to realize it has been upstaged.

With all the camera clicking going on this feline decided it was time to wake up and see what was going on.

I think the last time I supported someone who won a contested Republican presidential primary was 1980.

Now, I’ve done it again.

Twice in a lifetime isn’t bad, is it?

Some of my conservative friends can’t understand how I could have supported John McCain last Tuesday.

They have a litany, most of which I can identify with.

I have to admit I was undecided at McCain’s rally Friday a week ago.

And, if the media had continued ignoring Ron Paul, I was prepared to have voted for his smaller government candidacy.

But the Left Stream media didn’t mistreat him too badly, so I voted for McCain.

I find that I have bonded emotionally with McCain.

That has never happened with me with any candidate before.

It comes on two planes.

About a year ago, because of my writing of McHenry County Blog, Dave McSweeney invited me to sit in a room with other conservatives for some give and take.

Without going into details, McCain’s worldview is similar to my own. We are all put on earth for some purpose. McCain didn’t know whether serving as United States senator had fulfilled his mission.

If so, that was fine with him.

If not, he was willing to offer himself as a presidential candidate.

His did not seem to be on an ego-driven “mission from God,” to put in the language of the Blues Brothers. But he was willing to go God’s will, whatever that turned out to be.

When the tough questions were asked, I might not have agreed with where his logic took him, but there was logic.

At the press conference after the conservative inquisitors dispersed, McCain backed President George Bush’s surge in Iraq. I am sure the reporters thought he was committing political suicide, even though they were willing to give him some ink/air time.

This was a candidate who clearly wanted to win on his own terms or not win at all.

To the conservative group, McCain also told the story of how a little girl from Mother Teresa’s Bangladesh orphanage became his adopted daughter.

At the rally, his wife Cindy told the story from her point of view. I took a series of photos while he was listening to her talk. I’ll try to fit them in this article from first to last.

Being an adoptive dad, I could relate to John McCain’s range of emotions, present even though it seemed obvious to me that this was part of the stump speech that was probably deliberately designed to help keep him from losing his voice during the campaign.

So, I don’t find John McCain disingenuous like so many politicians, regardless of office sought.

Maybe I’m being hoodwinked.

I know, however, that I asked him if he would reappoint Patrick Fitzgerald as U.S. Attorney and he said he would.

From what Mitt Romney said, I have ever reason to believe that he would not have reappointed Fitzgerald.

Call me a single-issue voter, if you will.

That single issue is honest government.

One can only wonder what the corruption tax costs each of us in Illinois.l

And, speaking of being misled, let me tell you a story about Jim Thompson.

Like most politicians, he is an engaging guy.

I was enamored with his convictions of politicians, Democrat and Republican.

I was the second state representative to support his candidacy for governor. (The first was Rockford’s Tim Simms.) I gave him his first reportable campaign contribution the day of his fly around. I even bought saying “Thompson for Governor, Skinner for St. Rep.” I pinned them on everyone walking past the Republican booths at the Kane, McHenry and Boone County Fairs.

Jim was my last candidate for political hero.

It was right after the election that the halo slipped.

I was listening to the radio.

I can even tell you where I was.

It was on the driveway at the north door of the State Capitol.

It was a beautiful day.

A radio reporter was asking Jim if he was going to keep Governor Walker’s Ford.

You may remember that Dan Walker was a man of the “p-e-e-ople.”

No limousine for Walking Dan.

Thompson’s reply?

“No. What do you think this job is all about?”

After that I haven’t had any political heroes.

Not that McCain is a hero to me.

I’m past that stage in my life.

I just think he is the right man at the right time.

Forgetting the disagreements I have on domestic and social policy with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, I just don’t trust them not to give away the store in the international arena.

And Thompson?

He’s supporting McCain, too.

Someone pointed out that his law firm will make a lot of money if Fitzgerald indicts Governor Rod Blagojevich.

= = = = =
These nine photographs of presidential candidate John McCain were taken from the time his wife Cindi McCain starting telling how a little girl from Mother Teresa’s Bangladesh orphanage became his adopted daughter.

She is now a 16-year old teenager.

The last photo shows McCain about to return to political mode.

The picture of former Governor Jim Thompson was taken as he was leaving the rally stage after having been introduced for a second time, this time by McCain.

I think the last time I supported someone who won a contested Republican presidential primary was 1980.

Now, I’ve done it again.

Twice in a lifetime isn’t bad, is it?

Some of my conservative friends can’t understand how I could have supported John McCain last Tuesday.

They have a litany, most of which I can identify with.

I have to admit I was undecided at McCain’s rally Friday a week ago.

And, if the media had continued ignoring Ron Paul, I was prepared to have voted for his smaller government candidacy.

But the Left Stream media didn’t mistreat him too badly, so I voted for McCain.

I find that I have bonded emotionally with McCain.

That has never happened with me with any candidate before.

It comes on two planes.

About a year ago, because of my writing of McHenry County Blog, Dave McSweeney invited me to sit in a room with other conservatives for some give and take.

Without going into details, McCain’s worldview is similar to my own. We are all put on earth for some purpose. McCain didn’t know whether serving as United States senator had fulfilled his mission.

If so, that was fine with him.

If not, he was willing to offer himself as a presidential candidate.

His did not seem to be on an ego-driven “mission from God,” to put in the language of the Blues Brothers. But he was willing to go God’s will, whatever that turned out to be.

When the tough questions were asked, I might not have agreed with where his logic took him, but there was logic.

At the press conference after the conservative inquisitors dispersed, McCain backed President George Bush’s surge in Iraq. I am sure the reporters thought he was committing political suicide, even though they were willing to give him some ink/air time.

This was a candidate who clearly wanted to win on his own terms or not win at all.

To the conservative group, McCain also told the story of how a little girl from Mother Teresa’s Bangladesh orphanage became his adopted daughter.

At the rally, his wife Cindy told the story from her point of view. I took a series of photos while he was listening to her talk. I’ll try to fit them in this article from first to last.

Being an adoptive dad, I could relate to John McCain’s range of emotions, present even though it seemed obvious to me that this was part of the stump speech that was probably deliberately designed to help keep him from losing his voice during the campaign.

So, I don’t find John McCain disingenuous like so many politicians, regardless of office sought.

Maybe I’m being hoodwinked.

I know, however, that I asked him if he would reappoint Patrick Fitzgerald as U.S. Attorney and he said he would.

From what Mitt Romney said, I have ever reason to believe that he would not have reappointed Fitzgerald.

Call me a single-issue voter, if you will.

That single issue is honest government.

One can only wonder what the corruption tax costs each of us in Illinois.l

And, speaking of being misled, let me tell you a story about Jim Thompson.

Like most politicians, he is an engaging guy.

I was enamored with his convictions of politicians, Democrat and Republican.

I was the second state representative to support his candidacy for governor. (The first was Rockford’s Tim Simms.) I gave him his first reportable campaign contribution the day of his fly around. I even bought saying “Thompson for Governor, Skinner for St. Rep.” I pinned them on everyone walking past the Republican booths at the Kane, McHenry and Boone County Fairs.

Jim was my last candidate for political hero.

It was right after the election that the halo slipped.

I was listening to the radio.

I can even tell you where I was.

It was on the driveway at the north door of the State Capitol.

It was a beautiful day.

A radio reporter was asking Jim if he was going to keep Governor Walker’s Ford.

You may remember that Dan Walker was a man of the “p-e-e-ople.”

No limousine for Walking Dan.

Thompson’s reply?

“No. What do you think this job is all about?”

After that I haven’t had any political heroes.

Not that McCain is a hero to me.

I’m past that stage in my life.

I just think he is the right man at the right time.

Forgetting the disagreements I have on domestic and social policy with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, I just don’t trust them not to give away the store in the international arena.

And Thompson?

He’s supporting McCain, too.

Someone pointed out that his law firm will make a lot of money if Fitzgerald indicts Governor Rod Blagojevich.

= = = = =
These nine photographs of presidential candidate John McCain were taken from the time his wife Cindi McCain starting telling how a little girl from Mother Teresa’s Bangladesh orphanage became his adopted daughter.

She is now a 16-year old teenager.

The last photo shows McCain about to return to political mode.

The picture of former Governor Jim Thompson was taken as he was leaving the rally stage after having been introduced for a second time, this time by McCain.

A tried and true approach to soften the harsh stand of the most radical pro-abortion politicians has been to be an advocate for adoption.

Jim Edgar did it. Adoption was Brenda’s pet cause.

Now 8th congressional district U.S. Representative Melissa Bean is following a similar path.

Bean proposed an annual $2,000 tax credit (that would be subtracted from the bottom line of one’s tax bill, I believe) for families who adopt children 9 and older.

There is already a one-time $11,390 tax credit, according to the Waukegan News-Sun article by Judy Masterson.

Nothing wrong with the proposal.

Something like the Illinois law to allow women to take a newborn to a firehouse, no questions asked.

But, it certainly fits the template for those who are supported by NARAL, Personal PAC and Emily’s List.

Vote against legislation to protect unborn babies, but promote adoption.

A tried and true approach to soften the harsh stand of the most radical pro-abortion politicians has been to be an advocate for adoption.

Jim Edgar did it. Adoption was Brenda’s pet cause.

Now 8th congressional district U.S. Representative Melissa Bean is following a similar path.

Bean proposed an annual $2,000 tax credit (that would be subtracted from the bottom line of one’s tax bill, I believe) for families who adopt children 9 and older.

There is already a one-time $11,390 tax credit, according to the Waukegan News-Sun article by Judy Masterson.

Nothing wrong with the proposal.

Something like the Illinois law to allow women to take a newborn to a firehouse, no questions asked.

But, it certainly fits the template for those who are supported by NARAL, Personal PAC and Emily’s List.

Vote against legislation to protect unborn babies, but promote adoption.

Ever wonder if folks who are “liberal” in one area of public policy are “liberal” in others?

There was a letter about abortion in the Northwest Herald on July 19th with all kinds of comments underneath.

Crystal Lake’s Susan Mickle may have come too close to the truth for comfort in this paragraph:

” The majority of feminists today have forgotten their roots. The original feminists were pro-life.”

District 300 resident Nancy Zettler has fully established credentials as a tax hiker.

I don’t know many tax hikers who are conservatives.

In her comments under Mickle’s letter, Zettler shows her pro-abortion colors.

Zettler complains that more men would favor abortion if they had to take care of the babies.

She should talk to some upper class women and men in high school, as I did when I was running for state representative.

It is the guys who are most favorably inclined toward abortion.

Does that surprise anyone?

The guys know they will be stuck with child support, if the child is born.

Zettler relates passing a petition at a pro-life rally asking people to sign-up “to volunteer to adopt an unwanted child.”

Anyone who has adopted a child would recognize this as a disingenuous stunt.

And, yes, my 10-year old on is adopted.

Ever wonder if folks who are “liberal” in one area of public policy are “liberal” in others?

There was a letter about abortion in the Northwest Herald on July 19th with all kinds of comments underneath.

Crystal Lake’s Susan Mickle may have come too close to the truth for comfort in this paragraph:

” The majority of feminists today have forgotten their roots. The original feminists were pro-life.”

District 300 resident Nancy Zettler has fully established credentials as a tax hiker.

I don’t know many tax hikers who are conservatives.

In her comments under Mickle’s letter, Zettler shows her pro-abortion colors.

Zettler complains that more men would favor abortion if they had to take care of the babies.

She should talk to some upper class women and men in high school, as I did when I was running for state representative.

It is the guys who are most favorably inclined toward abortion.

Does that surprise anyone?

The guys know they will be stuck with child support, if the child is born.

Zettler relates passing a petition at a pro-life rally asking people to sign-up “to volunteer to adopt an unwanted child.”

Anyone who has adopted a child would recognize this as a disingenuous stunt.

And, yes, my 10-year old on is adopted.