[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 53 Referred in House (RFH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 53


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 19, 2007

              Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Condemning the kidnapping and hostage-taking of 3 United States 
citizens for over 4 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia 
    (FARC), and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

Whereas the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is designated as a 
        foreign terrorist organization by the Department of State;
Whereas the FARC utilizes kidnappings for ransom, extortion, and the drug trade 
        to finance its activities;
Whereas the FARC has consistently committed atrocities against citizens of both 
        Colombia and the United States, kidnapped at least 36 United States 
        citizens since 1980, and killed 10 United States citizens;
Whereas an aircraft carrying United States citizens crashed over territory 
        controlled by the FARC on February 13, 2003;
Whereas Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves, 3 United States 
        citizens on the aircraft, were taken hostage by the FARC on February 13, 
        2003;
Whereas the FARC murdered Tom Janis, another United States citizen on the downed 
        aircraft;
Whereas 3 United States citizens on a subsequent search mission also lost their 
        lives;
Whereas the 3 hostages were last shown alive in a videotape seized by the 
        Government of Colombia and aired on November 30, 2007;
Whereas a police officer from Colombia who escaped from the FARC in April 2007 
        claims he saw the 3 United States hostages alive in April 2007;
Whereas at least 50 FARC leaders have been indicted in the United States for 
        drug trafficking; and
Whereas Ricardo Palmera, the most senior FARC leader to be tried in the United 
        States, was convicted of conspiring to take the United States citizens 
        hostage in Colombia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) condemns the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas 
        Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of 
        Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate and unconditional 
        release;
            (2) condemns the FARC for holding these hostages for more 
        than 4 years and demands to know their health and status;
            (3) condemns the FARC for the murder of Tom Janis;
            (4) condemns the FARC for its use of kidnapping for ransom, 
        extortion, and drug trafficking and for supporting and 
        spreading terror within Colombia;
            (5) expresses sympathy to the relatives of the hostages who 
        have been unsure of the fates of their family members for more 
        than 4 years;
            (6) reconfirms that the United States Government does not 
        make concessions to terrorists; and
            (7) reiterates that the United States Government supports 
        efforts to secure the safe return of the hostages to the United 
        States.

            Passed the Senate December 19 (legislative day, December 
      18), 2007.

            Attest:

                                                NANCY ERICKSON,

                                                             Secretary.