Senator Lou D'Allesandro

Angels in Adoption 2005 - New Hampshire

Selected by Representative Jeb Bradley

New Hampshire State Senator Lou D'Allesandro and his wife, Patricia, are adoptive parents who reside in Manchester, New Hampshire. A lifelong public servant, Sen. D'Allesandro is currently serving his fourth term in the New Hampshire Senate and previously served three terms as an executive councilor and two terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. When confronted with a problem, Sen. D'Allesandro will do what he can to solve it - especially when the problem stems from personal experience. Once of the D'Allesandro's adopted daughters was faced with a serious medical condition. Had the D'Allesandros been able to access their daughter's birth records in order to obtain information about her family medical history, her condition could have been significantly less serious. It was only through the D'Allesandros steadfast determination to obtain this valuable and lifesaving information that their situation was resolved. Because of this very personal experience, Sen. D'Allesandro introduced legislation in the New Hampshire Senate that allows adult adoptees to access their original birth certificates in the same manner as all other non-adopted adults. The Senator supported this legislation with a deep conviction and a desire to educate his fellow legislators on a topic that was very close to his heart. Sen. D'Allesandro gave an impassioned speech on the floor of the Senate about his family's experience that dispelled any skeptics of the bill. Due to his tireless efforts, the bill passed the Senate. It later passed in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, became law, and went into effect on January 1, 2005. Sen. D'Allesandro is known throughout the adoption community for his willingness to stand up and fight for the rights of all adopted adults to be treated equally. His work has not come to an end with the passage of the New Hampshire law. He is presently continuing his efforts to help other adoptees in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. As an adoptive father, Sen. D'Allesandro understands that adoption does not end with the signing of the adoption papers, but is an ongoing journey - a journey that follows adoptees throughout each and every phase of their lives. He is a true champion for adoptees everywhere.

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