[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 20, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1078-H1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       KIDNAPPING OF LUDWIG KOONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, I stand here today in utter shock and 
disbelief and absolute anger.
  For 2 years, I have been telling stories about missing children. For 
2 years, I have been talking about internationally abducted children. 
For 2 years, I have been working with Jeff Koons and his attorneys to 
help bring his son Ludwig home from Italy. For 2 years, I have not seen 
progress. No change in Italy, and no response from our own government. 
I cannot express today the outrage that I feel right now about our 
Justice Department, our State Department, and the government and 
judicial systems of Italy.
  Since 1984, for 8 years, Jeff Koons has been trying to get his son 
back, a son who he has legal custody of, who has been abused and 
neglected and forced to live in a pornographic compound in Rome, Italy, 
by his mother. On March 4 of 2002, this year, the Supreme Court of 
Cassation confirmed Ilona Staller's conviction for kidnapping Ludwig 
from his habitual residence in New York. This means Ilona Staller is a 
convicted kidnapper; yet Italy is still letting her retain Ludwig.
  Yesterday, the Minors' Tribunal in Italy held a so-called hearing on 
the emergency order to keep Ms. Staller from taking Ludwig to another 
country, Hungary. And it is a so-called hearing because this hearing 
was nothing more than a dog and pony show. Ms. Staller was questioned 
for 15 minutes about her lawbreaking, about her intention to once again 
take Ludwig to another country. The judge questioned Ludwig, a scared, 
manipulated and abused 9-year-old little boy, about his wishes, alone, 
in the judge's chambers, with no witnesses, with no attorneys, with no 
video. And then the judge comes back in and says he is fine with his 
life as is.
  The best psychologists in both countries, Italy and the United 
States, and doctors, say that Ludwig is on the brink of no return. 
Unless he is removed now, there is no telling what damage might be done 
to him physically and mentally. Yet these experts, the top Italian 
experts, were not allowed to testify at this so-called hearing.
  In the end, the emergency request was denied and Mr. Koons was given 
30 days to go prepare briefs and another 20 days to respond. Another 2 
months of delay. It is contrary to all applicable principles of public 
international law and procedure to preclude an American citizen minor, 
who was kidnapped from his habitual residence, any access to his 
country of birth, even the temporary visits with his father and 
paternal family in their country of residence.
  Ludwig, who is now approaching adolescence, finds himself in a dire 
situation that places him in imminent danger of grave and irreparable 
damage. His critical condition is directly related to his mother's 
continued abuse and neglect of the minor over the years, combined with 
her willful and systematic breach of Mr. Koons's visitation rights.
  I stand here tonight because I am concerned that Mr. Koons may be 
subjected to further discrimination and inequitable treatment by the 
Italian judiciary in these impending proceedings. I stand here a part 
of the United States Government, and I have to say that I am ashamed. 
Where are our priorities? Where are our values?
  I sit and listen to the politicians sound off about family values in 
this Chamber every day; yet every day our government lets this little 
boy remain captive against his will. Where is our State Department? 
Where is our Justice Department advocating for U.S. citizens? Ludwig 
Koons is a U.S. citizen.
  We saw Blackhawk helicopters recently go in to rescue missionaries in 
Afghanistan, people who had been there of their own will. Yet our 
government will not send a letter or make a phone call demanding that 
this kid be sent back to our country. Do we only go to bat for citizens 
being held by those who are not our allies? Should we not go to bat for 
everyone?

[[Page H1079]]

  Eight years ago, Jeff Koons put his faith in the law. He put his 
faith in the United States of America. We have not returned that faith. 
I am asking my colleagues if they will please take the time to ask 
every constituent of theirs in this country, and that they do the same, 
and write the President of the United States, write the Attorney 
General of this country, write the Secretary of State of this country 
and plead for the return of this child to the United States of America 
now.
  Bring our children home.

                          ____________________