Holt International Children's Services
Encyclopedia
Holt International Children's Services (HICS) is an adoption agency based in Eugene
, Oregon
, United States, known for international adoption
s.
city of Creswell
. In addition to farming, Harry ran a lumber company. Bertha, trained as a nurse, was a homemaker and mother.
After seeing a documentary film about "G.I. babies" of the Korean War
in orphanages in Korea
, the Holts, acting upon their Christian faith, decided they would adopt some of the orphans. Harry began preparations to go to Korea, and Bertha asked a friend how to go about adopting eight children from another country. Learning that it would be possible only if both houses of Congress
passed a law allowing it, Bertha said, "Then that's what we'll do."
Two months later, the "Holt Bill" was passed, and in October 1955, Harry and eight children arrived at Portland International Airport
. The resulting publicity stirred interest among many families in the United States. The Holts set about helping others to adopt, and what began as a small operation run from Bertha's kitchen table in Creswell (and Harry's hip pocket in Korea) soon became a major movement.
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States, known for international adoption
International adoption
International adoption is a type of adoption in which an individual or couple becomes the legal and permanent parents of a child that is a national of a different country...
s.
History
In 1954, Harry (1904–1964) and Bertha Holt (1904–2000) were busy raising their six children on a farm near the small Willamette ValleyWillamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
city of Creswell
Creswell, Oregon
Creswell is a city in the Willamette Valley of Lane County, Oregon, United States. The population at the 2010 census was 5,031.- Geography :According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which , or 2.42%, is water....
. In addition to farming, Harry ran a lumber company. Bertha, trained as a nurse, was a homemaker and mother.
After seeing a documentary film about "G.I. babies" of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
in orphanages in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, the Holts, acting upon their Christian faith, decided they would adopt some of the orphans. Harry began preparations to go to Korea, and Bertha asked a friend how to go about adopting eight children from another country. Learning that it would be possible only if both houses of Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
passed a law allowing it, Bertha said, "Then that's what we'll do."
Two months later, the "Holt Bill" was passed, and in October 1955, Harry and eight children arrived at Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport
Portland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of passenger travel and more than 95% of air cargo of the state. It is located within Portland's city limits just south of the Columbia River in Multnomah...
. The resulting publicity stirred interest among many families in the United States. The Holts set about helping others to adopt, and what began as a small operation run from Bertha's kitchen table in Creswell (and Harry's hip pocket in Korea) soon became a major movement.
External links
- Holt International Children's Services
- Bertha Holt's obituary from the New York Times