[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 178 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S14644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 53--CONDEMNING THE KIDNAPPING AND HOSTAGE-
      TAKING OF 3 UNITED STATES CITIZENS FOR OVER 4 YEARS BY THE 
  REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA (FARC), AND DEMANDING THEIR 
                  IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE

  Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. Isakson) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 53

       Whereas the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 
     is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the 
     Department of State;
       Whereas the FARC utilizes kidnappings for ransom, 
     extortion, and the drug trade to finance its activities;
       Whereas the FARC has consistently committed atrocities 
     against citizens of both Colombia and the United States, 
     kidnapped at least 36 United States citizens since 1980, and 
     killed 10 United States citizens;
       Whereas an aircraft carrying United States citizens crashed 
     over territory controlled by the FARC on February 13, 2003;
       Whereas Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves, 3 
     United States citizens on the aircraft, were taken hostage by 
     the FARC on February 13, 2003;
       Whereas the FARC murdered Tom Janis, another United States 
     citizen on the downed aircraft;
       Whereas 3 United States citizens on a subsequent search 
     mission also lost their lives;
       Whereas the 3 hostages were last shown alive on July 25, 
     2003, during a taped interview with the CBS news show ``60 
     Minutes'';
       Whereas a police officer from Colombia who escaped from the 
     FARC in April 2007 claims he saw the 3 United States hostages 
     alive in April 2007;
       Whereas at least 50 FARC leaders have been indicted in the 
     United States for drug trafficking; and
       Whereas Ricardo Palmera, the most senior FARC leader to be 
     tried in the United States, was convicted of conspiring to 
     take the United States citizens hostage in Colombia: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) condemns the kidnappings of Keith Stansell, Thomas 
     Howes, and Marc Gonsalves by the Revolutionary Armed Forces 
     of Colombia (FARC) and calls for their immediate and 
     unconditional release;
       (2) condemns the FARC for holding these hostages for more 
     than 4 years and demands to know their health and status;
       (3) condemns the FARC for the murder of Tom Janis;
       (4) condemns the FARC for its use of kidnapping for ransom, 
     extortion, and drug trafficking and for supporting and 
     spreading terror within Colombia;
       (5) expresses sympathy to the relatives of the hostages who 
     have been unsure of the fates of their family members for 
     more than 4 years;
       (6) reconfirms that the United States Government does not 
     make concessions to terrorists; and
       (7) reiterates that the United States Government supports 
     efforts to secure the safe return of the hostages to the 
     United States.

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