MAINE: Senator Gets National Attention for Adoption Bill, February 26, 2008

Kennebec Journal Staff report
February 26, :09 PM

Senator gets national attention for adoption bill

AUGUSTA — State Sen. Paula Benoit, R-Phippsburg, will
be part of a news story airing on ABC News with
Charlie Gibson because of her efforts to pass
legislation to help adopted adults.

Benoit, who was adopted, sponsored legislation last
year to give adult adoptees access to their original
birth certificates. While exploring her family
history, Benoit discovered she is the aunt of two
sitting state lawmakers — Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham,
and Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield.

“The fact that in trying to find my identity I
discovered that two of my legislative colleagues were
my nephews is a great story, but it is also important
to remember that while the story is great, what is
most important is that because of this law thousands
of adult adoptees will be able to have access to their
original identity in 2009,” she said in a statement.

The segment is expected to air Wednesday, Thursday or
Friday at 6:30 p.m. on ABC. Benoit’s district includes
Richmond, and 10 other Sagadahoc County communities,
along with Dresden in Lincoln County.

Link to article

NOTE: (NOTE: For some reason the link isn't working, though it was cut and pasted in. Here is the URL: http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/022889.html