Another family issue

[In response to "No shortage of bills on family issues" (http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1186049.html)]

Dear Editor,

I'm from a very conservative family, and so is my spouse, so our families were thrilled when we decided to make it official in July of 2000. Of course, what was even more exciting was the news that another grandchild would be born into both families in December of 2001.

What excitement. What planning there was for this child. When he was born he was a perfect mix of our families ... blonde hair and blue eyes representing one side of the family and the narrow and chiseled face of an Italian family on the other side.

He would carry the last name of one side of the family and his first name would be the same as a hometown founder. He came nine weeks early but all 2.5 pounds were welcomed by many. What a joy he's been for the past 5 years. He's great at sports, thinks he can dance, tells great jokes, and he's the best construction site supervisor at his school. He loves to tell stories of his grandfather's adventures ... one a Marine, the other an Army man.

He wakes up with excitement after dreaming that he and his grandfather found an old Army Jeep in the woods that they restored together and then drove through the woods like a couple of teenage boys. He's truly an All-American boy from two All-American families. There is no controversy about this boy. He is every parent's dream son.

However, even though this All-American boy has two parents as shown in his medical records, his parents' tax records, his school records and as can be attested to by all of his friends, family, neighbors, teachers, doctors and others -- he is forbidden by Nebraska law from having a legal connection to both of his parents. If he had been born "on schedule" on Dec. 25, 2001, he would have a birth certificate as evidence of what everyone around him knows. This All-American Boy, like the soon to be grandchild of Vice-President Cheney, has a Mom and a Mommy. Because Mom became ill in October of 2001, our little All-American Boy was not born in Vermont where Mom and Mommy would have been shown as his parents on his birth certificate. Instead, he was born in Nebraska, a state that ignores the best interests of little All-American boys like our son. Years ago when a child was born out of wedlock -- through the sin of two adults -- the children were punished by forever being branded "bastards."

They were not allowed to have a birth certificate that reflected their true status. Even though the majority of Nebraskans were against endorsing births outside of marriage, the citizens agreed that these children should not be punished for the "sins" of their parents.

Today I would hope that the Senators and citizens would look at LB 571, not as something controversial. Instead, look at these real children that exist right here within the borders of Nebraska. If you support a culture of life and a culture that puts children first, you should support real little boys and girls who live in Nebraska but who are at financial and custodial risk should their parents separate or should one of their parents' die.

These are children who live in a world where everyone recognizes both of their parents -- their grandparents, their aunts and uncles, their teachers, their ministers, their friends, their doctors, their neighbors ... they all say that these children have two parents. "The Government" or their families ... who knows what is best for these children? Please support LB 571. There is should be no controversy in helping children.

Donna Colley,

via e-mail