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Reform in Georgia
March 4, 2008 permalink
Georgia state senator Nancy Schaefer is moving forward with her reform legislation. Her press release today (pdf) contains the paragraphs:
I had SB 415 drawn up and filed after learning of the corruption in the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and in Child Protective Services (CPS).
I have hundreds upon hundreds of cases where children have been taken from their parents wrongly and without cause and many children have never been returned. The bottom line for the taking of children and the separating of families is money. Federal financial incentives that promote adoption even when loving family members are available, should be abolished. This is an out of control problem not only in Georgia but across the country. It is a criminal/political phenomenon that is driven by the government, which is supposedly in place to protect families and children. The opponents to SB 415 are many, as the bureaucracy that looks to children in State custody for job security is very large.
As mentioned in the email below from the office of Nancy Schaefer to Barbara Bryan, success of the bill depends on getting the Judiciary Committee to act favorably tomorrow morning. Prompting from interested persons can help. Even though Canadians cannot vote in Georgia elections, messages from Canadians will show international interest and improve the prospects for enactment.
Barbara,
The SB 415 bill is up for Committee hearing by the Judiciary Committee at 10:00 am tomorrow morning. We need voices and emails to have this happen. Senator Schaefer needs this to pass and go on to the Senate for passage and finally through the House. We need people on it and keeping the fires "blazing".
If you know of others who can write, make phone calls, and emails please for the children find them.
Please find attached the Judiciary Committee addresses.
Thank you for all you do.
Jody
Expand below to see the list of persons to call.
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Judiciary Committee Members
Senator Preston Smith Judiciary Chairman
Phone: 404-656-0034
Fax: 404-463-4161
Email: preston.smith@senate.ga.govSenator Seth Harp
Judiciary Vice Chairman
Phone: 404-463-3931
Fax: 404-651-6767
Email: sethharp@aol.comSenator Bill Hamrick
Judiciary Secretary
Phone: 404-656-0036
Fax: 404-651-6767
Email: bil.hamrick@senate.ga.govSenator David Adelman
Phone: 404-463-1376
Fax: 404-651-7078
Email: david.adelman@senate.ga.govSenator Robert Brown
Phone: 404-656-5035
Fax: 404-463-2071Senator Joseph Carter
Phone: 404-651-7738
Fax: 404-651-5795
Email: joseph.carter@senate.ga.govSenator Bill Cowsert
Phone: 404-463-1366
Fax: 404-657-0797
Email: bill.cowsert@senate.ga.govSenator Vincent Fort
Phone: 404-768-8406
Fax: 404-657-7266
Email: Vincent.fort@senate.ga.govSenator Judson Hill
Phone: 404-656-0150
Fax: 404-463-2535
Email: Judson@judsonhill.comSenator Michael Meyer Von Bremen
Phone: 404-656-0037
Fax: 404-657-9887
Email: Michael.meyer@senate.ga.govSenator Kasim Reed
Phone: 404-463-1379
Fax: 404-657-9728
Email: kasim.reed@senate.ga.govSenator Mitch Seabaugh
Phone: 404-656-6446
Fax: 404-651-6768
Email: mail@mitchseabaugh.comSenator John Wiles
Phone: 404-657-0406
Fax: 404-657-0459
Email: john@johnwiles.com
Our earlier link to the text of the bill has expired, so here is a local copy of bill SB 415 (pdf). We had earlier stories on Nancy Schaefer on November 24, 2007 and February 19, 2008. Thanks to Barbara Bryan and justiceismyreward for contributing parts of this post.
Addendum: Indirect feedback indicates that the committee received messages from both Canada and the UK. Donna Priest collected two emails on bill SB 415, both stating that the bill is dead, but with differing spins on the outcome.
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From: "Schaefer, Nancy"
<Nancy.Schaefer@senate.ga.gov>
Date: Tue, March 11, 2008 3:35 pmDear Donna,
SB 415 was gutted in Committee. However, we were able to get a strong message out and the head of DFCS resigned.
We will press on! Stay in touch.
God bless you,
Senator Nancy Schaefer
Sent by Wanda Miller assistant to Senator Schaefer
From: "Cowsert, Bill"
<Bill.Cowsert@senate.ga.gov>
Date: Thu, March 13, 2008 1:54 pmThanks for expressing your interest in SB 415. Unfortunately, the author withdrew the bill prior to consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee. I will continue to advocate for family values and support all measures which protect the welfare of children.
Bill Cowsert
Source: postings to GeorgiaFamilyRights email group
