[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 156 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 156

 Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release 
  of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant 
     Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant 
    Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in 
                         Belgrade, Yugoslavia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 3, 1999

  Mrs. Meek of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release 
  of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant 
     Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant 
    Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in 
                         Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Whereas, on March 31, 1999, Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew 
        Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone were captured while on 
        patrol along the border of Kosovo and Macedonia;
Whereas all diplomatic efforts to secure their release were unsuccessful;
Whereas Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., on April 29, 1999, led a delegation of 
        religious and civic leaders from the United States, including 
        Representative Rod R. Blagojevich, in a faith-based effort to secure the 
        release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, 
        and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone;
Whereas against great odds and in the face of grave personal risks, Rev. Jesse 
        L. Jackson, Sr. and his party entered a war zone and successfully 
        secured the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew 
        Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone;
Whereas Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. has successfully secured the release of 
        prisoners in other countries on several previous occasions--in 1984 he 
        secured the release of United States Navy flyer, Lieutenant Robert O. 
        Goodman, Jr. from Syria, in June 1984, he secured the release of 22 
        United States citizens and 26 Cubans from Cuba, and in 1990 he secured 
        the release of 700 women and children who were being detained in Iraq;
Whereas Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is recognized around the world as a 
        humanitarian, an advocate for civil and human rights, and an ambassador 
        of freedom; and
Whereas, as a highly respected world leader, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. has 
        acted many times as an international diplomat in sensitive situations 
        and in October 1997, he was appointed by President Clinton and Secretary 
        of State Albright as Special Envoy of the President and Secretary of 
        State for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. for securing 
        the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant 
        Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone from 
        captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia;
            (2) expresses its gratitude to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. 
        and his delegation for securing the release and safe return of 
        Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and 
        Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone; and
            (3) joins with the people of the United States in 
        celebrating the return to freedom of Specialist Steven 
        Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant 
        Christopher Stone.
                                 <all>