WASHINGTON, DC -Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, joined Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in introducing the Families for Orphans Act, S.1458, which aims to better coordinate efforts on behalf of orphaned children. Currently, the responsibility for addressing the needs of orphaned children is divided among various offices and bureaus which are not necessarily working together to accomplish a cohesive strategy. The legislation will put in place a system to eradicate the unnecessary duplication of efforts in order to more efficiently meet the needs of orphaned children.  The Office for Orphan Policy, Development and Diplomacy under the U.S. Department of State will capably coordinate both domestic and international efforts on behalf of children seeking homes.

"As the grandfather of an adopted child from Ethiopia, I know how special these children are and how important it is to them and to their new families to make the process for adopting more efficient," said Inhofe. "The Families for Orphans Act will remedy the shortfalls of current statutes, and better meet the ultimate objective of connecting orphaned children with permanent families."