Bill Summary
This resolution calls for the immediate extradition or surrender of convicted felons who have fled to Cuba in order to escape prosecution or confinement for their criminal offenses in the United States. It specifically mentions William Morales, Joanne Chesimard, and other fugitives who are believed to be receiving safe harbor in Cuba. The resolution also urges the international community to continue pressuring Cuba to extradite these fugitives and calls on the Secretary of State and Attorney General to do the same. It highlights previous incidents where Cuba has complied with extradition requests, emphasizing the importance of upholding the extradition treaty between the US and Cuba. Ultimately, this legislation aims to bring these fugitives back to the US for trial and punishment.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect the fugitives named in the resolution, as they would be subject to immediate extradition or rendering to the United States to face prosecution for their criminal offenses.
2. The legislation could also affect the international community, as they are being urged to press for the extradition or rendering of all fugitives currently receiving safe harbor in Cuba.
3. The Secretary of State and the Attorney General would also be affected, as they are called upon to continue pressing for the extradition or rendering of all fugitives from United States justice.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 92 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 92
Calling for the immediate extradition or rendering to the United States
of convicted felons William Morales, Joanne Chesimard, and all other
fugitives from justice who are receiving safe harbor in Cuba in order
to escape prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses committed in
the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 30, 2019
Mr. King of New York (for himself, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr.
Gottheimer, Mr. Sires, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and Mr. Fitzpatrick)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Calling for the immediate extradition or rendering to the United States
of convicted felons William Morales, Joanne Chesimard, and all other
fugitives from justice who are receiving safe harbor in Cuba in order
to escape prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses committed in
the United States.
Whereas William Morales, leader and chief bomb-maker for the terrorist
organization FALN, committed numerous terrorist attacks on United States
soil, including the bombings of Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan in
1975 and the Mobil Oil employment office in New York in 1977, which
killed 5 people and injured over 60 others;
Whereas Joanne Chesimard, one of the FBI's ``Most Wanted Terrorists'', was
convicted of murdering New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster;
Whereas more than 70 fugitives from the United States, charged with offenses
ranging from hijacking to kidnapping to drug offenses to murder, are
believed to be receiving safe harbor in Cuba;
Whereas other fugitives from United States justice who are receiving safe harbor
in Cuba include Charles Hill, wanted for the killing of a state trooper
in New Mexico, and Victor Manuel Gerena, on the FBI's list of the ``Ten
Most Wanted'' fugitives for carrying out a brutal robbery of a Wells
Fargo armored car in Connecticut;
Whereas according to treaties entered into in 1905 and 1926 (33 Stat. 2265, 33
Stat. 2273, and 44 Stat. 2392), the United States has a bilateral
extradition treaty with Cuba;
Whereas in January 2002, Cuba deported to the United States Jesse James Bell, a
United States fugitive wanted on drug charges;
Whereas in March 2002, Cuba extradited drug trafficker Luis Hernando Gomez
Bustamante to Colombia, and Gomez Bustamante was subsequently extradited
to the United States in July 2007 to face drug trafficking charges; and
Whereas it is imperative that Cuba abide by its extradition treaty with the
United States and immediately extradite or render to the United States
those legally indicted or convicted of serious criminal offenses in the
United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls for the immediate extradition or rendering to the
United States of convicted felons William Morales, Joanne
Chesimard, and all other fugitives from justice who are
receiving safe harbor in Cuba in order to escape prosecution or
confinement for criminal offenses committed in the United
States;
(2) urges the international community to continue to press
for the immediate extradition or rendering of all fugitives
from justice that are receiving safe harbor in Cuba; and
(3) calls on the Secretary of State and the Attorney
General to continue to press for the immediate extradition or
rendering of all fugitives from United States justice so that
they may be tried and, if convicted, serve out their sentences.
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