[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H70-H71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AFTER FIVE YEARS, AMERICANS SHOULD REMEMBER THE PLIGHT OF PANAMANIAN 
                             KIDNAP VICTIMS

  (Mr. HUTCHINSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday marks the 5-year 
anniversary of the kidnapping of three American missionaries in South 
America. On January 31, 1993, armed bandits descended upon the 
Panamanian village of Pucuro and kidnapped Dave Mankins, Mark Rich, and 
Rick Tenenoff in the presence of their wives and in the presence of 
their children.
  The gunmen demanded $1 million in return for the lives of these men, 
a demand that could not and should not be met.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been 5 years since these women have seen their 
husbands, 5 years since these children have spent

[[Page H71]]

Christmas with their fathers, yet this story has made little news and 
has sparked little protest.
  Where is the sense of outrage in our country? Where is the sense of 
compassion?
  Today on this anniversary, and throughout the year, let us remember 
these families and pray and work for their immediate release.

                          ____________________