----- Original Message -----

In Support of HB529   Dear Respected Members of the Family Law Committee,   My name is Andrew Ryan.  I am a Father of and Dad to three young boys - Cody (5), Dustin (4) and Trevor (2).   This is my Testimony that I am writing to you, just in case I am unable to make it to the hearing on 22 March 05.  I was in attendance for the first hearing and would have stayed all night to speak up for my children.    

  I am from Australia and have been here now for 5 years.  I moved here due to my fiance` and later wife fell pregnant with my oldest son.  At the time I was still serving in the Australian Army with 4 years left till retirement.  I was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Devices Disposal Operator.  I was among the highest trained and paid Soldiers within the Military.  My fiancé` was to move to Australia whilst I completed my 20 years and we would decide what our options were after that.  When she found out she was pregnant, she changed everything and told me to move here or never see my son.  I did.  I gave up hundreds of thousands of Dollars in the process.  To me it was a no brainer.  During the next few years we had 2 more children, and she decided I was no longer required and had me physically removed via a restraining order after an argument.  I have lived in my van, on couches and hotels.  I have now purchased property that I am struggling to keep due to the current system.  I am also about to lose my home in Australia in order to fight for my children's rights to have me in their lives.   This HB529 goes a long way to re-establish in writing, to make it plain to those who choose to manipulate the law, that both parents deserve to have a fair and equal chance at being in their children's lives.  If we are truly about equality, then there should be no opposition to this bill! I heard testimony last week from a lawyer stating that 70% of his practice was divorce related.  He was in opposition to this bill because he didn't like the wording of the "presumption".  Why??  His response was not clear and very hard to comprehend.  If he was honest he would have stated he is in opposition as it will reduce his income considerably.   Another mother of six testified that she is in fear of what might happen if she were to divorce her husband.  She said he is a great Father, and that  if she ever did divorce him that she would ensure that  he was able to spend quality time with their children.  Her statement alone proves that women understand they have real power in divorce and they are scared to lose that control.   I see everyday on the news of a parent male or female, killing their children and sometimes killing themselves.  These tragedies could well be avoided with a system that isn't so adversarial.  This Bill, HB 529, would go a long way to reducing the adversarial nature of divorce, and in fact, would reduce divorce and save lives.  Why would anyone oppose that?   Studies show, and it seems everyone agrees, that Fathers are essential in the better development of children.  They say that the constitution provides equal treatment under the law.  If that is the case, why are 90% or more of custody issues being ruled in favor of the Mothers?  This bill, HB529, which will see Judges or Marital Masters, give written reasons for how and why they made the decision they made, will ensure all issues in each case have been addressed.  The parental plans make each parent have a good hard look at what they can and can't do in practice, and adjust according to the children's needs.  If by doing that a divorce trial becomes negated, aren't the parents  better able to get along, save thousands in legal fees, and lessen the impact on their children?  Why then is there opposition to this bill?   I am a hard working man and I have given of myself to help others all my life.  I am now dedicated to my 3 wonderful sons whom I owe to fight for their rights, THEIR RIGHTS to have me as a steadying influence in their lives.  I also fight for their rights to one day not be put in the emotionally and financially devastating position I have found myself in.  I have found a strength in myself that I didn't know I had, to so far cope with the horrible injustices I have faced in the past few years, and it is not over yet. I love my children and they love me. Please give us a chance to be in each others lives - no-one will lose by supporting this bill, but everyone loses if we don't.  This is why I take the position I do.  Please Pass this Bill.   I have attached some statistics to show what Fatherless homes can do to aid in destroying our society.  Society must NOT allow this trend to continue.   Thank you,   Andrew Ryan 15 Merrimack St Nashua, NH 03064 (603) 817-3963