Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 20:01:36 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <199907280001.UAA16650@ml.media.mit.edu>
From: belmonte@mit.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
To: CapuanoHR8@aol.com (Mike Capuano)
Subject: oppose the Largent amendment to the DC appropriations bill

Dear Representative Capuano

A few days ago I wrote to you about dangerous amendments to the District of
Columbia appropriations bill.  I write now to express my opposition to another
of these coercive amendments.  This one, offered by Steve Largent, would ban
funding for joint adoptions by unmarried couples in the District.  It is
targeted at gay couples who wish to adopt.  Not only would Largent's amendment
prohibit federal spending on such adoptions, it would also ban the District
from spending its own money!  This amendment is offered despite evidence
showing that gay couples can and do make good parents, that adoption is best
decided by parents and professionals on a case-by-case basis, and that there is
a critical shortage of adoptive parents in the District.