Senator Mitch McConnell Introduces Resolution to Help Kentucky Families Adopting from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell joined his Senate colleagues today in introducing a bipartisan resolution to assist Kentucky families adopting from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Senate Resolution that Senator McConnell co-sponsored calls for the lifting of an exit permit suspension that has prevented approximately 800 Congolese children who have been or are in the process of being adopted by American families, including some Kentucky families, from leaving the DRC.

In September 2013, the Congolese Ministry of Interior and Security suspended the issuance of exit permits for adopted children seeking to leave the country with their adoptive parents. About 350 of these children have been legally adopted by families in the United States, but less than 20 children have received exit permits to leave the DRC.

Kentucky is among the states with the highest number of families whose adopted children are stuck in the DRC -- more than 20 families across the Commonwealth are affected. One of those was the Berry family of Whitesburg, Kentucky. Jonathan and Reagan Berry contacted Senator McConnell to assist with the adoption of their daughter, Kona, who successfully returned to Kentucky earlier this month.

"I have heard from many Kentucky families on this incredibly important issue and have been in contact and met personally with some of the families whose children are stuck in the DRC," Senator McConnell said. "One couple that I assisted was the Berry family of Whitesburg, Kentucky. They were one of the fortunate families who returned home to Kentucky with their adopted daughter, and I offer my sincerest congratulations to the Berry family. However, much work remains, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of those families trying to bring their children home."

The Berry Family said, "Over a year ago, we learned of an eight-month old little girl who lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We were told that she had some special needs and if she wasn't adopted soon, she wouldn't survive. We jumped in head first and began the process of adopting Kona Martine. She flew through the court processes and everything was going smoothly until the suspension of exit permits began in September of that same year… In May of 2014 we learned that there was a chance that the DRC would grant Kona an "exception" exit letter for humanitarian reasons because she had acquired a lung disease as well as the other issues she was previously diagnosed with. I immediately contacted Senator McConnell's office to ask for help. I fully believe that without the help of our Senator, Kona would not be home today. We began to gain some momentum and on this great nation's Independence Day, July 4th, the DRC granted Kona an exit letter to come home to her forever family… We are forever grateful!"

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