Helen Hill
Chief Petitioner, Open Adoption Initiative in OregonFrank Hunsaker
Attorney at the law firm, Bullivant, Houser, Bailey, Portland, OR
-- and of course, telephone callers from all over the nation. Find your local station and air time. Your email comments can be read on the air, so start writing in now!
By Email:
totn@npr.org
- before and during airtime.By Phone:
1-800-989-TALK
- during airtime.
Portland OR TV station KATU, Channel 2 has an online discussion forum under the "Politics and Controversy" heading devoted to Measure 58.
Last week, the New York Times published a three-part series on adoption, and opened up an online discussion forum moderated by Madelyn Freundlich, Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, and author of numerous books and articles on child welfare law, policy and financing. One of the threads of discussion deals with open records and Oregon's Measure 58 in particular, and participants include Madelyn Freundlich, NCFA's Bill Pierce, Bastard Nation's Shea Grimm, and many others. You can join in too-- it's free!
The Oregonian grudgingly notes the passage of Measure 58-- Adoptees gain access to their birth records, but notes the slim margin will encourage opponents to amend it to give "added protection to protect birth parents".
By Mail:
Editor
The Oregonian
1320 SW Broadway
Portland OR, 97201
By Fax:
503 294 4193
503 294 4179
By E-Mail:
letters@news.oregonian.com
oped@news.oregonian.com
The Los Angeles Times ran an article today misleadingly titled Open-Adoption Initiative Is Facing Voters in Oregon. The Times furthermore claims that "the initiative would make Oregon one of only three states that does not offer a guarantee of secrecy to birth mothers who request it". (!?!) They go on to quote one of our favorite little ideologues, Warren Deras, who characterizes Measure 58 campaigners thus:
"They try to project the image of these poor lost souls looking for their parentage, Little Orphan Annies," he said. "We have found it doesn't take much explaining to show that's not what these people are".We got news for Mr. Derras and the LA Times. We never ever portrayed ourselves as "poor lost souls" looking for our mommies, and the thought of happy reunions is not what motivates us. So you're right-- it doesn't take much explaining, you could have just asked us and we would have told you: we ain't no Little Orphan Annies, either!.
By Mail:
Los Angeles Times
Times Mirror Square
Los Angeles, CA 90053By Fax:
213-237-7679By E-Mail:
letters@latimes.com
Oct. 29, 1998
The office of the Oregon Secretary of State of reports the results of a mock election. On Tuesday, over fifteen thousand Oregon middle and high school students joined millions of young people across the country in voting on selected candidate races and ballot measures that appear on the November 3 general election ballot.
Measure 58 passed by 76%!
Oct. 28, 1998
In a column that I can only describe as lurid as well as misinformed, Mona Charen, nationally syndicated columnist, evokes the terror of the rape birthmother who has no choice but to be freshly put at the mercy of her tormentor by the opening of "all birth records". Huh? By releasing the original birth certificate to the adoptee??
Mona Charen is a syndicated columnist who is published in newspapers all over the US. If this column appears in your local paper, write a letter to the editor! Or--
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
The Washington Times
3600 New York Ave. NE Washington, D.C. 20002By Fax:
202-269-3419By Phone:
202-636-3000By E-Mail:
letter@twtmail.com
Oct. 26, 1998
This morning's NBC Today Show on attacked OR's Measure 58 (The Adoptee Rights Measure) using a "rape birthmother" in the shadows claiming that Measure 58 passing "would be like being raped all over again." Chief Petitioner Helen Hill was attacked both by commentator Matt Lauer and by Mr. Hunsaker, an adoption attorney/adoptive father, on the claim that M58 "violates promises of birth parent confidentiality." Birthparents were said to need "protection" from adoptees. Scary, shameful bastards that we are. Is this a positive adoption story?
Matt Lauer of the NBC Today TV program introduced the piece on Measure 58 with the following words:
"On the ballot in Oregon is a controversial measure that would allow adults who were adopted to obtain records about their birth parents. Needless to say, many parents who gave up children are concerned about their right to privacy."
"If that controversial measure passes it would force the state to break past promises of secrecy for parents who put their children up for adoption. It would also increase the trend toward open adoptions."
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
The Today Show
c/o NBC
30 Rockerfeller Plaza
NYC, NY 10112
By Phone:
212-664-2333, then press #3
Include your name, city and state, phone number and triad status.By E-Mail:
today@nbc.com
Oct. 25, 1998
The Seattle Times ran an article by Amalie Young of the The Associated Press, Bid to ease birth-parent searches under fire, which raises the specter of a birth mother who was the victim of rape.
And the mother fears her daughter will now go looking for her father - bringing a rapist back into their lives.
"It's really frightening, and I can't tell you how powerless I feel," said the woman, now in her mid-40s, who wouldn't give her name.
Shea Grimm, Measure 58 spokesperson, responds:
It's disgusting that the opposition would use birthmothers in this manner in their bid to hide the past illegal and unethical adoption practices of some OR adoption agencies and attorneys.
Neither Measure 58 in Oregon nor any open records law puts these women in danger. The names of men who raped and impregnanted women do not appear on the birth certificate of individuals unless the birthmother choses to name him and put him there.
In the case of the tragedy of a rape and subsequent pregnancy, the media has ignored the fact that is just as painful for the adoptee to learn they are a product of rape as to be a victim of the initial crime. Adoptees and birthparents have been handling these complex and painful situations for decades as they have searched for and found each other. The government has no business hiding the facts of birth from any of its citizens in the name of protecting others. Adoptees are not the criminals, here, and they shouldn't be punished for something over which they had no control.
Records have been open in most of the free world for decades, as well as in Alaska and Kansas. There have been no instances of rape victims being terrorized, in fact birthparents widely support the effort to unseal records, despite what you hear in the media.
Since this article was written by the Associated Press, it may appear in your local newspaper. If it does, please write a letter in response to it! Or--
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Letters to the Editor
The Seattle Times
1120 John Street
Seattle, WA 98109-5321By Phone:
206-464-2111By E-Mail:
opinion@seatimes.com
Oct. 22, 1998
Ellen Goodman, nationally syndicated columnist, writes in her column The right of adoptees to know their roots, "it no longer seems right for the state to be the keeper of the keys to anyone's identity. Oregon is the place to begin closing down this social experiment."
Ellen Goodman is a syndicated Boston Globe columnist whose columns appear in newspapers all over the US. If this column appears in your local paper, write a supportive letter to the editor! Or--
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Letters to the Editor
The Boston Globe
P.O. Box 2378
Boston, MA 02107-2378By Fax:
617-929-3186By E-Mail:
letter@globe.comBy Web Form:
http://extranet.globe.com/LettersEditor/
Oct. 20, 1998
The Headlight Herald, ignoring evidence to the contrary, worries about a possible negative impact on adoption.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Headlight Herald
Po Box 444
Tillamook
OR 97141-0444By Fax:
503-842-8842By E-Mail:
Headlight@orcoastnews.com
Oct. 20, 1998
The Eugene Weekly listed this issue as a Moral Quandary, worrying about birthparent confidentiality.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Eugene Weekly 1251 Lincoln St Eugene OR 97401-3418By Fax:
541-484-4044By E-mail:
editor@eugeneweekly.com
Oct. 16, 1998
The Medford Mail Tribune couldn't decide which side to take, so they presented arguments on both sides.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Mail-Tribune
PO Box 1108
Medford, OR, 97501-0229By Fax:
541-776-4376By E-Mail:
letters@mailtribune.com
Oct. 14, 1998
The Willamette Weekly came out with strong support for Measure 58 in an editorial opinion, saying
Ultimately, this measure forces us to weigh an adult adoptee's right to his true birth certificate against a birth mother's right to privacy. We come down squarely on the side of the adoptee.
No argument, in our mind, can reverse the strongly held feeling that an adult should have the right to his birth certificate. What that adult does with it is his business.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Editor
822 SW 10th Avenue
Portland OR 97205By Fax: 503 243 1115
By E-Mail:
Patty Wentz, pwentz@wweek.com
See also http://www.wweek.com/html/feedback.htmlBy Phone: 503 243 1115
Remember to refer to the date and title of the article in your response.
Oct. 9, 1998
Amazing! The Oregon branch of the American Civil Liberties Union has recommended a no vote on Measure 58. Why? Not on any substantive grounds, but because the issues raised by this measure are too complex for the voters to comprehend, and should be left to legislators!
What do you think, citizen? Let the ACLU know your thoughts! Especially if you cared enough about civil rights to be a member.
Address Responses to:
By E-Mail: info@aclu-or.org
By Mail: ACLU Oregon
POB 40585
Portland, OR 97240
Phone: 503-227-3186ACLU Oregon
POB 50426
Eugene, OR 97405
Phone: 541-345-6162
Oct. 8, 1998
An AP wire story by Charles E. Beggs about Measure 58 was picked by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The SF Chronicle has distribution all over northern California. Here's an opportunity to educate California readers about Measure 58. Only letters to the editor of less than 250 words will be considered for publication. Please provide your name and telephone number along with your letter. You will be called if your letter is being considered for publication.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
San Francisco Chronicle
901 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103By E-Mail:
chronletters@sfgate.com
Oct. 7, 1998
The author of an editorial in the Eugene Register Guard, Respect adoption privacy, believes "many women sought and received a promise of confidentiality in adoption", and thus opposes Measure 58.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
The Register-Guard
PO Box 10188
Eugene, OR 97440-2188By E-Mail:
rgletters@guardnet.com
Oct. 5, 1998
An edited version of the Boston Globe article appeared in the San Jose Mercury News, continuing the rising nationwide interest in this issue.
They ask you to include a legible name, address and daytime phone number, and sign all letters and faxes.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Letters to the Editor
Mercury News
750 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, CA 95190By Fax:
408-271-3792By E-Mail:
Letters@sjmercury.com
Oct. 5, 1998
The Boston Globe did a front-page story on the Measure 58 campaign on October 2! Oregon voters could open door to adoptees' past. It's a very good article, people. Please everyone, write and voice support. Let's hope that more adoption professionals get off the fence and start supporting the measure more unequivocally now.
However, the Globe then printed an editorial opposing Measure 58 based on "the needs of some parents to keep the door latched on the past."
Please rebut this argument by writing to the Globe today!
Note: Letters to the Editor of the Boston Globe are limited to 200 words. Please remember to include your full name, address and phone number on all correspondence.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Letters to the Editor
The Boston Globe
P.O. Box 2378
Boston, MA 02107-2378By Fax:
617-929-3186By E-Mail:
letter@globe.comBy Web Form:
http://extranet.globe.com/LettersEditor/
Sept. 29, 1998
I'm so glad to give you some good news in the midst of all these idiotic editorials being printed by Oregon regional newspapers.
A letter in response to the Oregonian editorial of Sept. 23 was highlighted today, and placed in a prominent place on the opinion page of the Oregonian. In my opinion it is one of the finest letters I have ever read, and I am thrilled this is the one they picked. This birth mother has been working hard for us down in Southern Oregon since the first months of the campaign.
I think this woman deserves major thanks. If you would like to thank her for this incredible letter: here is her info:
Pat Florin
541 482 2512
536 Elkader, Ashland Oregon 97520
Sept. 28, 1998
Hello, sharpen your pencils! The esteemed and thoughtful editorial board of the Grant's Pass Daily Courier has printed the worst editorial I've ever read in my life.
Please respond (this is a cakewalk, guys, what part CAN"T we respond to? Remember to include your name, address, phone number and the date of the editorial in your responses.
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Editor
The Grant's Pass Daily Courier
409 SE 7th St.
Grant's Pass
OR 97526By Fax:
541 474 3824By E-Mail:
courier@cdsnet.net
Sept. 23, 1998
The Oregonian printed an editorial, "Oregon must keep its word", coming out against Measure 58 on grounds of implied promises of confidentiality which must never be overturned.
Please write your letters in support of Measure 58 and debunking the false notion that the reason for closing records was to promise birthmothers permanent anonymity from their offspring. Ending lies, shame and permanent secrecy in adoption is good for adoption.
Please take the time today to respond via email and postal mail, and fax if you can. Please remember to include your full name, address and phone number on all correspondence.
Let's not be silent!
Make your voice heard!Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Editor
The Oregonian
1320 SW Broadway
Portland OR, 97201By Fax:
503 294 4193
503 294 4179By E-Mail:
letters@news.oregonian.com
oped@news.oregonian.com
Sept. 16, 1998
The Willamette Week ran a very good front page story by Patty Wentz on Measure 58, Bastard: Adoption in America — one person's struggle to be treated like a legitimate adult. An accompanying sidebar, Keeping Secrets , details the argument of opponents to Measure 58 who say access to your parents' names is a privilege, not a right --
"I don't think it's a decision an adoptee should be able to make on the spur of the moment," says Deras. "Anyone could say, 'Gee, I've got my 12 dollars. I want my birth certificate.'"
Imagine that!
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Editor
822 SW 10th Avenue
Portland OR 97205By Fax: 503 243 1115
By E-Mail:
Patty Wentz, pwentz@wweek.com
See also http://www.wweek.com/html/feedback.htmlBy Phone: 503 243 1115
Remember to refer to the date and title of the article in your response.
Sept. 2, 1998
"Dr. No Strikes Again", appearing in the Willamette Week, reports Governor John Kitzhaber's announcement of his opposition to Measure 58, based on a feared adverse impact on relinquishments. The Governor seems to be unaware that this is a false fear. Educate the man, change his mind. Please don't be argumentative; please make a quality argument in favor, good manners especially intact.
The Governor's Office welcomes citizen comments:
1. Telephone by calling:
- Governor's Citizen Representative Office at (503) 378-4582, 24 hours, TTY (503) 378-4859
2. Mail by writing to:
- Governor John Kitzhaber
State Capitol Building
Salem, OR 973103. Web-based Electronic Correspondence at http://www.governor.state.or.us/governor/mail/mailform.html
August 26, 1998
A news story titled Birth of a Notion in the Willamette Week documents the rise of interest in Measure 58 from adoptee rights supporters all over "who view Oregon as the next battleground for their civil rights."
Address Responses to:
By Mail:
Editor
822 SW 10th Avenue
Portland OR 97205By Fax: 503 243 1115
By E-Mail:
Patty Wentz, pwentz@wweek.com
See also http://www.wweek.com/html/feedback.htmlBy Phone: 503 243 1115
Remember to refer to the date and title of the article in your response.
There are three pieces in the Albany Democrat-Herald to respond to. The first and last aren't so good, Respond particularly to the negative ones, but please write in response to all three.
First, a letter to the Editor from an adoptive parent who feels Measure 58 is not a good idea. See if you can debunk his misconceptions
Wed, August 5, 1998:
Letter to the Editor: "Birth-record initiative could do much damage"The second is absolutely wonderful, written by the newspaper's EDITOR, and placed in the Editor's column.
Fri, July 31, 1998:
Opinion: Birth Certificates are a matter of JusticeThank Hasso Herring!!! He has been a steady supporter of ours, and he is a well-liked public figure in Oregon who appears frequently on Public Television news interviews and talk forums. He deftly includes the edges of the civil right's issue in plain, unthreatening language, which is remarkable, really, for a public figure who is not in the triad. He has a big following so be very KIND to him!!!
Now for the other letter, written the day before. Slam away.
Friday, July 30, 1998:
"Initiative measure would open up adoption records"Thanks for your help! Let the letters roll! I'm sure they will print some. Address comments to the article by Hasso Herring and/or Chris Beggs to:
Address Responses to:
Mailbag
Albany Democrat-Herald
P O Box 130
Albany, OR 97321E-mail: albanydh@proaxis.com
Online Feedback Form: http://www2.mvonline.com/mv/mail/email
Remember to refer to the date and title of the article in your response.
See some sample letters written in response to the above.
Thanks, Helen
July 20, 1998
An Oregonian article today titled "Three initiatives make ballot with dollar duel" made the "silly mistake" of getting Measure 58 all wrong:
Measure 58, which would require that a copy of the original birth certificate be given to adopted children, garnered $94,880 in contributions ...
You'd think political writers would be able to distinguish between laws affecting children and those affecting adults, wouldn't you? They probably didn't mean any harm by it, they just got sucked into the same patronizing, infantilizing attitude toward adoptees that has been codified in the law for so long, and that Measure 58 is directly targeted against. Be sure that they will be receiving letters to the editor pointing out such an elementary oversight.
Contacting The Oregonian to provide your feedback is easy; see the contact information at the bottom of this page.
July 9, 1998
On Friday July 9, 1998, the office of the Oregon Secretary of State confirmed that Measure 58 had indeed qualified for the ballot. The Adoptee Rights Initiative succeeded in gathering well over the 73,261 signatures needed to place this issue on the statewide November 3 ballot.
March 22, 1998
The Oregonian published a feature article about the efforts to get Measure 58 on the ballot and the reasons behind it.
Express Your Opinion
You can express your opinion about news articles or editorials in
The Albany Democrat-Herald:
Albany Democrat-Herald online feedback: http://www2.mvonline.com/mv/mail/email
The Oregonian:
- By Mail:
- Editor
The Oregonian
1320 SW Broadway
Portland OR, 97201- By Fax:
- 503 294 4193
503 294 4179- By E-Mail:
- letters@news.oregonian.com
oped@news.oregonian.com
- By Phone:
- 503 225 5555, category 3348
Editorial Department: 503 221 8150- To voice mail message centers:
503 221 8393, 503 221 8197, and 503 221 8400Willamette Week
- By Mail:
- Editor
822 SW 10th Avenue
Portland OR 97205- By Fax:
- 503 243 1115
- By E-Mail:
- Patty Wentz, pwentz@wweek.com
See also http://www.wweek.com/html/feedback.html- By Phone:
- 503 243 1115
[ NEWS ] [ HOME ] [ BALLOT TITLE ] [ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ] [ GET INVOLVED! ]
1 800 262 5551