I have just returned from a very long day at the capitol. An open hearing was held on bill 1419. I believe that our "team" did a most commendable job. Testimony supporting this bill came from Bill Summers, Kim Bowers, Lynda Spivack, and myself. Irving Stolberg also testified on our behalf as did Casey Jacobs from UConn, David Biklen, (chair of our adivisory committee) and the president of the local chapter of RESOLVE. As we expected, "opposition" came from the Catholic Church, the CCLU and from Ct Commission on Women's Rights.
It is clear that we MUST keep up the pressure. The decision on whether the bill goes to the full legislature or dies in committee must be made by April 18. I urge all of you to write (letter better than e-mail, e-mail better than nothing) and/or phone the following, the leadership of the Judiciary Committee. The committee is clearly having some difficulties with the surrogacy part of the legislation and one possibility is that this section will be omitted entirely. The most contentious issues are:
1) certainty of parentage, i.e. that the surrogate relinquishes her parental rights before conception, not after birth.
2) surrogates' rights--are they being trampled upon?
If you could write to each of the listed legislators and address either or both of these issues it could help. Share your experiences if germaine and urge their support. Even if you've written before, write again. Obviously, if we could get surrogates to write, this would be very helpful. Even if your surrogate is out of state but helped CT
residents, urge her to write. Time is very short so consider sending your letters by Priority Mail. Please pass this e-mail and/or my e-mail address to any one who might be interested.
Thanks Sue Lagarde
| Senator Eric Coleman Room 3400 Legislatiave Office Bldg. Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: 1-860-240-0527 email: coleman@senatedems.state.ct.us |
Senator Martin Looney Room 3700 Legislative Office Bldg. Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: 1-860-240-0462 email: looney@senatedems.state.ct.us |
| Senator John A. Kissel Room 3400 Legislative Office Bldg. Hartford, CT. 06106 Phone: 1-860-240-0474 email: john.a.kissel@po.state.ct.us |
Rep. Robert Farr 90 Whiting Lane West Hartford , CT. 06119 Phone: 1-800842-1423 email: robert.farr@housegop.state.ct.us |
| Rep. Mike Lawlor Room 2500 Legislatiave Office Bldg. Hartford, Ct. 06106 Phone: 1-860-240-0530 email: mlawlor99@juno.com |
Rep. Art Feltman Room 2104 Legislatiave Office Bldg. Hartsford, CT. 06106 Phone: 1-860-240-0530 email: art.feltman@po.state.ct.us |
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