[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 88 (Thursday, June 27, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H4073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RETURN LUDWIG KOONS

  (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, again I rise to talk about international 
child abduction and the case of Ludwig Koons who is being kept 
illegally in Rome, Italy. The injustice that is being done to this 
family is outrageous and an example of what thousands of American 
parents and children face each day.
  Ludwig Koons was born in New York and was abducted from his family 
residence to Rome by his mother, Ilona Staller. Mr. Koons was awarded 
custody in the United States, but the Italian courts have refused to 
accept any American jurisdiction. The father has been deemed the fit 
parent by the courts and by U.S. and by Italian psychologists who have 
stated that Ludwig is in grave danger and must be returned to his 
father. Yet he remains captive in Italy, being held by the Italian 
government and by his mother who is a porn star who lives in a 
pornographic compound.
  Mr. Speaker, every day Members of this body and this administration 
speak about family values. Family values. I can think of no better way 
to demonstrate our commitment to family values than to return Ludwig 
Koons to his father now. We must bring our children home.

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