[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7457-H7459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONCERNING THE NEW TRIBES MISSION HOSTAGE CRISIS

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 277) concerning the New Tribes 
Mission hostage crisis.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 277

       Whereas Mark Rich, David Mankins, and Rick Tenenoff of the 
     Sanford, Florida, based New Tribes Mission were abducted on 
     January 31, 1993, from the Kuna Indian village of Pucuro in 
     the Darien Province of Panama;
       Whereas the wives and children of these American citizens, 
     Tania Rich (daughters--Tamra and Jessica), Nancy Mankins 
     (son--Chad, daughter--Sarah), and Patti Tenenoff (son--
     Richard Lee III, daughters--Dora and Connie), have lived the 
     past 5 years without knowledge of the safety of these 3 men;
       Whereas Mark Rich, David Mankins, and Rick Tenenoff 
     presently are believed to be the longest held United States 
     hostages;
       Whereas this kidnapping represents a gross violation of the 
     3 missionaries' human rights and is not an isolated incident 
     in Colombia where, since 1980, 83 innocent Americans have 
     been held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of 
     Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN);
       Whereas the FARC and the ELN guerrilla groups in Colombia 
     have both been designated terrorist organizations by the 
     Department of State;
       Whereas Colombia is engaged in a high-level conflict with 
     these guerrilla insurgency groups, a number of whom are 
     protectorates of the deadly drug trade;
       Whereas the FARC has recently threatened officials of the 
     United States Government and kidnapped additional United 
     States citizens in Colombia;
       Whereas the region of Colombia where the 3 American 
     missionaries are believed to be held is controlled not by the 
     Colombian Government, but rather by the FARC;
       Whereas on December 9, 1997, the President of Colombia 
     stated on an internationally televised episode of Larry King 
     Live that the FARC ``in some ways have admitted indirectly 
     that they have the missionaries'';
       Whereas Human Rights Watch has stated that ``The FARC has 
     an obligation to unconditionally free the 3 missionaries, 
     with all necessary guarantees'' and Amnesty International has 
     declared their ``request that the FARC respect international 
     humanitarian norms, guarantee the life and physical safety of 
     the missionaries and unconditionally free them and all other 
     hostages'';
       Whereas congressional inquiries regarding the 3 
     missionaries have been made to United States Government 
     entities, including, the White House, the Department of 
     State, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, 
     and the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
       Whereas congressional inquiries regarding the 3 
     missionaries have been made to Amnesty International, Pax 
     Christi, His Holiness the Pope John Paul II, and the 
     International Committee of the Red Cross, which has provided 
     assurances that their Colombian delegation ``is still 
     actively working in favor of the missing members of the New 
     Tribes Mission'';
       Whereas 58 Members of Congress and Senators signed letters 
     to 8 different heads of state, including Costa Rica, Mexico, 
     Panama, Spain, Venezuela, Guatemala, Colombia, and Portugal, 
     in attendance at the Iberian-American Conference in Venezuela 
     in November of 1997, requesting any and all assistance in 
     order to bring about a favorable outcome to this unfortunate 
     event;
       Whereas no official confirmation of life or death has been 
     made by any United States Government entity, nongovernmental 
     organization, foreign government, or religious institution;
       Whereas the distinction between a ``terrorist activity'' 
     and a ``criminal activity'' perpetrated on an American 
     citizen traveling abroad should not be a limiting factor in 
     terms of United States governmental investigation; and
       Whereas every consideration to safety and prudence 
     regarding action by the United States Government, foreign 
     governments, nongovernmental organizations, international 
     institutions, and other groups in this matter should be of 
     the highest priority: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That--
       (1) the President of the United States and his emissaries 
     should raise the kidnapping of Mark Rich, David Mankins, and 
     Rick Tenenoff of the New Tribes Mission and other American 
     victims in Colombia to all relevant foreign governments, 
     nongovernmental organizations, and religious institutions at 
     every opportunity until a favorable outcome is achieved;
       (2) the international community should encourage any and 
     all groups believed to have information on this case to come 
     forward to help the families of the kidnapped missionaries;
       (3) all appropriate information obtained by the United 
     States Government, foreign governments, international 
     institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and religious 
     institutions should be turned over in a timely basis to the 
     New Tribes Mission crisis response team;
       (4) a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the 
     President, the Secretary of State, the National Security 
     Advisor, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Director of Central 
     Intelligence, the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, 
     the President of the United Mexican States, the President of 
     the Republic of Panama, the King of Spain, the President of 
     the Republic of Venezuela, the President of the Republic of 
     Guatemala, the President of the Republic of Colombia, the 
     President of the Republic of Portugal, and His Holiness Pope 
     John Paul II; and
       (5) a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the 
     New Tribes Mission, Amnesty International, Pax Christi, and 
     the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous matter on House Concurrent Resolution 277.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H7458]]

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 277 concerning the New Tribes Mission hostage crisis. I want 
to commend our colleagues on the committee: the gentleman from Missouri 
(Mr. Blunt), for introducing this concurrent resolution highlighting 
the plight of the New Tribes missionaries in Columbia; and I understand 
that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Burton) contributed to the drafting of this resolution, 
and have been actively engaged on behalf of the families of these 
victims of terrorist kidnappings. This resolution received the 
unanimous support of our committee, and was referred to the suspension 
calendar.
  Since 1980, Mr. Speaker, 83 innocent Americans have been held hostage 
in Columbia. Twelve of these Americans are known to have been murdered. 
In February, 1997, American geologist Frank Pescatore was brutally 
killed by the narcoterrorist group that calls itself the National 
Liberation Army, the ELM.
  In 1995, the Florida-based New Tribes Mission lost two other 
missionaries, Steve Welsh and Timothy Van Dyke, who were murdered by 
another narcoterrorist group that calls itself the Revolutionary Armed 
Forces of Columbia, the FARC. These kidnappings and the suffering of 
the victims and their families have been virtually unnoticed and have 
been underreported in the media. Moreover, in Columbia, kidnappers act 
with substantial impunity. Ninety-seven percent of crimes in Columbia 
are never brought to justice.
  In March, our Committee on International Relations held a hearing in 
which we heard testimony from three Americans whose lives were 
callously and inexorably altered by kidnapping at the hands of Columbia 
narcoterrorists. The testimony of Mrs. Tania Rich and the other 
kidnapped missionaries' wives was particularly moving.
  Mr. Speaker, now is the time for the missionaries' captives to come 
forward with any information they may have on their fate and their 
well-being. Accordingly, I invite all of our colleagues to join in 
approving this resolution today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again I thank the gentleman from New York, the chairman 
of the Committee on International Relations, for his management of this 
legislation now before us. I want to commend the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Blunt) for his authorship of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution calls for the President and his 
representatives to raise the kidnapping of these three missionaries and 
all other American victims of kidnapping in Columbia with relevant 
governments, NGOs, and religious institutions at every opportunity.
  The resolution also calls on the international community to encourage 
all groups with information on this case to come forward. Also, the 
resolution states that all appropriate information on the case of these 
three missionaries be provided to the New Tribes Mission crisis 
response team.
  Mr. Speaker, it seems that kidnapping is literally an industry now in 
Columbia, where thousands of people are taken and held for ransom every 
year. No case, however, is as cynical and senseless as the case of Mark 
Rich, David Mankins, and Rick Tenenoff. These three men were on mission 
in southern Panama when they were kidnapped in January of 1993. If 
Columbia insurgents are as serious about peace as they say they are, 
then the least we can expect from them is an accounting of where these 
three men are and what has happened to them.
  Mr. Speaker, the drafters of this resolution have been very active in 
raising the profile of this very regrettable case, and they ought to be 
commended for their efforts, especially the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Mica) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).
  This resolution deserves our support, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in voting yes on this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I am compelled 
to rise today to urge the House to support House Resolution 277, 
because it means that Columbian guerillas are still holding David 
Mankins, Mark Rich, and Rick Tenenoff as hostages.
  As we know, in January of 1993 the Columbian guerillas crossed the 
border into Panama and kidnapped David, Richard, and Mark from an 
Indian village where they were doing humanitarian work. These three 
American missionaries have now been held for over 5 years by the 
guerillas. I believe that is the longest held Americans ever, as 
hostages. Credible reports suggest that they are still alive.
  Last year a number of Latin American ambassadors pledged to assist in 
resolving this hostage situation. In addition, the governments of other 
countries in Central and South America learned of the case and pledged 
their support in working to secure the release of Mr. Mankins, Mr. 
Rich, and Mr. Tenenoff.
  The commitments of assistance from a number of these governments has 
been very encouraging. In July of last year, Assistant Secretary of 
State John Shattuck committed to doing everything possible to secure 
the release of these three Americans. Unfortunately, despite all these 
pledges of assistance from other countries, the Americans remain as 
hostages.
  Mr. Speaker, American citizens' lives are at stake, and now have been 
for over 5 years. We must continue our efforts on behalf of these men. 
I urge President Clinton, Secretary Albright, the State Department, and 
all other appropriate American officials to work to bring an immediate 
end to this tragic hostage situation. I urge the House to support House 
Resolution 277 to pledge our assistance in bringing David Mankins, Mark 
Rich, and Rick Tenenoff, home to their families.
  I also again offer my continued to support, assistance and prayers to 
Mrs. Mankins, Mrs. Rich, and Mrs. Tenenoff and their families as they 
seek the release of their husbands and fathers. I call on all of my 
colleagues to stand firmly against terrorism of any kind.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) for 
his eloquent remarks in support of this resolution.
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on January 31, 1993, armed Colombian 
guerrillas from the FARC organization crossed the border between 
Colombia and Panama and kidnapped three American missionaries of the 
New Tribes Mission. These innocent American citizens were then taken 
back into Colombia and held for millions of dollars of ransom.
  Since that day almost 6 years ago, the fate of Rick Tenenoff, David 
Mankins, and Mark Rich remains unknown. Their families wait anxiously 
every day for some news of their loved ones. I want to applaud the FARC 
for their recent release of U.S. businessman, Donald Lee Cary who they 
held captive for more than five months, but I want to express my 
disappointment with the FARC for their silence on the issue of the New 
Tribes missionaries. The FARC guerrillas have chosen not to provide any 
information on the whereabouts of these missionaries. They won't even 
say whether they are still alive or not.
  I want to commend our colleague, Roy Blunt for introducing H. Con. 
Res. 277 asking the Colombian guerrillas to release these American 
citizens or to provide some information as to their fate. For the 
families, this is the least that can be done.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and I call on the 
FARC to release whatever information they have about these citizens.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, on January 31, 1993, armed guerillas entered 
in Kuna village of Pucaro in Southern Panama and stormed the homes of 
Mark Rich, David Mankins, and Rick Teneoff. The men were missionaries 
for new Tribes Mission who lived in the village with their families. 
The guerillas tied up the men in their homes and ordered their wives to 
prepare packages of clothing. Then they all--the gun-toting guerillas 
and the three American missionaries--disappeared into the night. The 
three men have not been heard from again--that was over 5\1/2\ years 
ago.

[[Page H7459]]

  The three men are believed to be the longest held American hostages 
in our history.
  It is believed the men are being held by the Revolutionary Armed 
Forces of Colombia or FARC--an organization designated by the State 
Department as a terrorist group. It is believed the men were taken to 
Northern Colombia into an area controlled by the FARC. We know little 
else. We don't know whether the men are dead or alive. We don't know 
the exact location of whether they are being held. Very little 
information has become available.
  For over 5 years, the families of these men have longed for the 
return of their loved ones--Mark has two daughters, David has a son and 
a daughter, and Rick has two daughters. These children have all spent 
the last years of their young lives without their fathers. Their 
mothers--Tania Rich, Nancy Mankins, and Patti Teneoff--have been 
without their husbands. They have spent each day praying for some shred 
of information that may give them a ray of hope.
  They have lobbied the State Department and FB to do more. They have 
written to President Clinton. They have met with Latin American leaders 
who may have influence with the FARC. They have presented their pleas 
to Congress. They are speaking out and doing what they can. But we must 
help.
  I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 277 which condemns the 
kidnapping of the New Tribes Missionaries and urges the United States 
government to do everything possible to press for their release. It 
sends the message that U.S. Congress cares about this case and is 
committed to working for the release of these men. Resolving these 
cases is never easy, but there be must be more the U.S. government can 
and should do.
  We must try everthing possible to help return these men to their 
families. The kidnapping of American citizens is not acceptable and 
must be punished. Indecisive or unenthusiastic intervention on behalf 
of the American government puts American citizens everywhere at risk.
  My heart goes out to the Rich, Mankins, and Teneoff families. We are 
with you and will do what we can to help you.
  I urge you to vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 277.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this resolution and 
encourage my colleagues and the United States Government to highlight 
the plight of three missionaries from my district in Sanford, Florida, 
who are being held captive by a narco-terrorist group in Colombia. The 
Congress must ask every federal government agency to bring greater 
attention to the plight of these men and their families.
  New Tribes Mission, founded in 1945, places missionaries around the 
world. With approximately 3,500 missionaries working in isolated areas 
worldwide, no one can dispute the courageous work and positive 
influences these dedicated individuals bring to so many. Their work, 
however, is sometimes marked by danger.
  On January 31, 1993, three New Tribes Missionaries: David Mankins, 
Mark Rich, and Rick Tenenoff were taken from their families in their 
village in Pucuro, Panama by armed guerrillas, who crossed the nearby 
border back into Colombia. This was over five years ago! Still, these 
three husbands and fathers, believed to be the longest held U.S. 
hostages, have not been reunited with their loved ones. They were not 
wealthy, well placed or international figures. They were there with 
limited resources on a mission of faith.
  Mr. Speaker, I have worked closely with many of our colleagues in 
efforts to seek their release. We have made numerous inquiries with 
various U.S. government entities, including the White House, the State 
Department, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the intelligence community. We 
have also solicited support from human rights organizations such as 
Amnesty International, Pax Christi, and the International Committee of 
the Red Cross.
  We were joined by fifty-seven Members of Congress and U.S. Senators, 
in contacting foreign leaders and participants in the 1997 Iberian-
American Conference on Human Rights urging their support in raising 
this issue with Colombia and with all relevant governments and 
organizations. While this effort was met with wide support, these men 
still have not been returned.
  These three missionaries are not people of sizable wealth or 
corporate executives. They are families of modest means who certainly 
cannot afford large ransoms. Colombian guerrillas, largely funded by 
the drug trade, have nothing to gain from holding these men. The United 
States must not forget these American lives. These lives are of equal 
value to any American, even those of substantial wealth and power. This 
resolution emphasizes Congress's commitment to the cause of freeing 
these men.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, we must face the prospect of what this sad 
story holds for the children of these fine Americans. David Mankins has 
not seen his children, Sarah and Chad, get married. Rick Tenenoff's son 
has told his mother he would go and stay with the guerillas just be 
with his father. And Jessica, Mark Rich's youngest daughter said, ``I 
would give away all my toys, even Cubby [her teddybear], if it would 
bring Daddy back.''--Heartbreaking. Let us not forget these men and 
their families. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. 
Res. 277, and hope that this effort further encourages those in power 
to act now & use every possible resource to free these American 
hostages, these devoted missionaries, these longed for husbands and 
fathers.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following 
statement for the Record regarding H. Con. Res. 277, the New Tribes 
Mission Resolution:
  I invite all of my colleagues to join me today in approving 
legislation that I introduced, H. Con. Res. 277, the New Tribes Mission 
Resolution.
  On January 31, 1993 three Americans, Mark Rich, David Mankins, and 
Rick Tennenoff were abducted from the Kuna Indian village of Pucuro in 
the Darian Province of Panama, and were taken to Colombia by the 
Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC). These men, missionaries 
from the New Tribes Mission headquartered in Sanford, Florida, are now 
believed to be the longest held American hostages in Colombia.
  After five years of uncertainty about the fate of these men, their 
families and other members of the New Tribes Mission deserve closure. 
Congress must take action to urge the missionaries' captors to come 
forward and release any information they may have on the fate and well 
being of these hostages.
  My resolution expresses the sense of Congress that any individual or 
group with knowledge of the whereabouts of the New Tribes Mission 
missionaries be encouraged to come forward. It also seeks to bring 
international attention to the abduction and to pressure the Colombian 
government to release any information they may have about the fate of 
these men.
  Accordingly, I welcome the support of all of my colleagues in 
approving this bipartisan and humanitarian legislation.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 277.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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