H.Con.Res. 254 (ih) Calling on the Government of Cuba to extradite to the United States convicted felon Joanne Chesimard and all other individuals who have fled the United States to avoid prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses and who are curren...

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        H.Con. Res.254
                                      Agreed to October 21, 1998        

                       One Hundred Fifth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-
                                  eight


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas on May 2, 1973, Joanne Chesimard and 2 friends were stopped in 
  their vehicle by New Jersey State Troopers James Harper and Werner 
  Foerster on the New Jersey Turnpike;

Whereas while being questioned, Ms. Chesimard and the driver opened 
  fire with automatic pistols striking Trooper Werner Foerster twice in 
  the chest and Trooper James Harper in the left shoulder;

Whereas the suspects then turned Trooper Foerster's own weapon on him 
  firing an additional two bullets into his head execution style;

Whereas this heinous and premeditated act resulted in the tragic death 
  of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster;

Whereas Trooper Foerster left behind a wife, Rose Foerster, and family;

Whereas in 1977, after a 6 week trial, a jury found Ms. Chesimard 
  guilty of first-degree murder for the slaying of Trooper Foerster, a 
  respected New Jersey State Trooper;

Whereas as a result of this conviction Ms. Chesimard was sentenced to 
  life in a New Jersey State prison;

Whereas in 1979, Ms. Chesimard broke free from a maximum security cell 
  at the Reformatory for Women in Clinton, New Jersey, with the help of 
  4 men who took a guard and prison van driver hostage;

Whereas after escaping prison, Ms. Chesimard fled to Cuba for political 
  asylum;

Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation lists 77 felony fugitives 
  known to have been granted safe haven by the Cuban Government, 
  including Robert Vesco, Frank Terpil, and Victor Gerena, wanted for, 
  or convicted of, violent crimes, including murder, robbery, 
  kidnapping, air piracy, and terrorism;

Whereas these individuals have been indicted or convicted of criminal 
  offenses in the United States and have not paid their debt to 
  society;

Whereas people in New Jersey were shocked and outraged to see 
  television interviews showing Ms. Chesimard living freely in Cuba, 
  portraying herself as the victim and denying any crimes against 
  Trooper Foerster;

Whereas the Governor of New Jersey, Christine Whitman, has requested 
  Federal assistance from Attorney General Janet Reno for the return of 
  Ms. Chesimard; and

Whereas Members of Congress have petitioned Secretary of State 
  Madeleine Albright requesting that the Department of State do 
  everything in its power to have Joanne Chesimard, and all other 
  individuals who have fled the United States to avoid prosecution or 
  confinement for criminal offenses and who are currently living freely 
  in Cuba, returned to the United States in order for them to face 
  prosecution or confinement in the United States: Now, therefore, be 
  it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
        (1) the Government of Cuba should return to the United States 
    convicted murderer Joanne Chesimard in order for her to complete 
    her life sentence for the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner 
    Foerster;
        (2) the Government of Cuba should return to the United States 
    all other individuals who have fled the United States to avoid 
    prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses and who are 
    currently living freely in Cuba in order for them to face 
    prosecution or confinement in the United States; and
        (3) the return from Cuba to the United States of all 
    individuals who have fled the United States to avoid prosecution or 
    confinement for criminal offenses and who are currently living in 
    Cuba should be a top priority for the United States Government.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.

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