RESOLUTION NO. RS2001-740

A resolution recognizing Caprice East - Adoptee and Adoption Reform Lobbyist.

WHEREAS, in the United States, there are 6 million adopted people and 150 million lives directly affected by adoption; and

WHEREAS, we have come to learn that adoption is not a one-time event but a lifetime experience; and

WHEREAS, the right to know one's own genetic and genealogical identity was denied to adoptees under TN's previous adoption law and such denial was a violation of the civil rights of adoptees; and

WHEREAS, such denial prevented adoptees from having access to information vital to their best interest both physically and psychologically; and

WHEREAS, secrecy in adoption has proven harmful to all members of the adoption triad - adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents - alike; and

WHEREAS, through her service on the Adoption Study Commission that recommended changes to the previous law to allow adoptees access to identifying information, and through her tireless and unflagging volunteer lobbying efforts before the state legislature, Caprice East was an instrumental force in helping to bring about the new adoption law that guarantees adoptees the right to know their origins and their identity; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee's law has gone on to become a model for the nation with several states and Canadian provinces passing similar legislation; and

WHEREAS, each year in Washington DC, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption pays tribute to individuals from across the country that have played significant roles in furthering and improving adoption practices in this country by recognizing these individuals as "Angels In Adoption", recently naming Caprice East as one of our nation's "angels in adoption"; and

WHEREAS, Caprice East, at times totally frustrated and ready to quit, stayed to see the "Angels In Adoption" through for nearly a decade and spent endless hours on a soap box on behalf of all those touched by adoption and without her commitment this legislative endeavor would have met an early demise; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize Caprice East for her time and energy in this worthy cause.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

SECTION 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Caprice East - Adoptee and Adoption Reform Lobbyist.

SECTION 2. The Metropolitan Council Staff Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Caprice East.

SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored By: Lynn Williams & Ludye Wallace

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	September 4, 2001
Adopted:	September 4, 2001
Approved:	September 6, 2001
By: