[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 29 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CALLING FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO WORK TO BRING ABDUCTED AMERICAN 
                             CHILDREN HOME

  (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we left off with the abduction of 
Ludwig Koons. On June 9, 1994, against a New York court order, Ilona 
Staller abducted Ludwig to Italy. A bench warrant was issued in New 
York. Ms. Staller kept Ludwig in hiding for over a month, and Jeff 
Koons had no contact with his son. He did not know where he was, if he 
was safe, nothing.
  Due to the abduction and other circumstances, Mr. Koons was awarded 
temporary custody of Ludwig pending a final decision by the New York 
Supreme Court. In the fall of 1994, the Italian authorities charged Ms. 
Staller with parental kidnapping pending before the Pretura Penale di 
Roma. However, the Italian Government stalled and stalled. Proceedings 
on the charge were delayed for 2 years.
  In December of 1994, custody was awarded to Jeff Koons by the Supreme 
Court of New York. The court entered a final judgment dissolving the 
marriage and blaming Ms. Staller for the breakdown of the marriage, and 
deeming Jeff the most fit parent.
  Mr. Speaker, Jeff Koons was awarded custody of Ludwig by the Supreme 
Court of New York, yet Italy refuses to acknowledge this. Where is our 
State Department? Does anyone care? Bring Ludwig Koons and all American 
children home.

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