HR 1464: North Korean Refugee Adoption Act Passes Unanimously via Voice Vote

The Korean American Coalition (KAC) is delighted to hear that the North Korean Refugee Adoption Bill-HR 1464 finally passed in the House on Tuesday, September 11! It passed unanimously via voice vote. We offer great thanks to the author, Congressman Ed Royce, and to the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson, Ileana Ros-Lehntinen, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking member, Howard Berman, who helped to secure passage of HR 1464.

KAC and numerous other organizations have worked on the North Korean Refugee Adoption Act for several Congressional cycles and are delighted to have made headway with the passage in the House this past week. Passing a bill in Congress is no easy feat, and here we have made a great first step.

In early June of 2012, just a few short months ago, KAC's Executive Director, Grace Yoo, and 5 volunteers visited with members of Congress and their staff to let them know how important the North Korean Refugee Adoption Bill was to many Americans and in particular, Korean Americans. There are too many North Korean orphan children who are struggling to survive in countries like Mongolia and Thailand, especially when there are American families who are willing and waiting to adopt them We are hopeful these children will have the opportunity to find loving homes sooner with the passage of HR 1464.

This week was a great step in making the passage of the North Korean Refugee Adoption a reality in 2012. We need your help to get the Senate to vote and pass the Act as well. We hope to have your support. Please call us and/or donate to help us continue to educate people about the plight of these North Korean refugee orphans.

There is also justice for the "Comfort Women" that has not yet been made possible. If you wish to help obtain a sincere apology from the Japanese government, and wish to volunteer, please call us at 213.365.5999.