[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E39]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              AID TO COUNTRIES WHO DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1996, Evelyn Mezzich was driving 
drunk.
  She fell asleep at the wheel and had a head-on collision with a 
telephone pole.
  The accident barely harmed Evelyn, but it killed her 18-year old 
roommate Lindsay Brashier and permanently paralyzed another passenger.
  Mezzich was indicted for intoxicated manslaughter in Texas.
  After posting bail, she and her parents skipped town, heading to 
their native Peru.
  But Peru refuses to extradite her in flagrant disregard for the 
provisions of the extradition treaty between Peru and the United 
States.
  Evelyn Mezzich is living out her life in Peru, while Lindsay 
Brashier's family and the other victim are suffering.
  Yet we still continue to give foreign aid to Peru.
  This is just one example of a case in which countries who have 
treaties with the U.S. fail to comply.
  This is an injustice for United States citizens.
  Why do we continue to hastily give money to countries that hate us 
and refuse to cooperate with our government?
  Members of Congress decide how to spend Americans' tax dollars 
overseas by voting on one big bill that sends money to various 
countries around the world.
  I believe it is irresponsible and plain wrong to give money to 
countries who are denying justice to our citizens.
  Let's start voting individually on every one of these countries that 
want our aid rather than put all countries in one massive bill.
  We need to start taking care of America before we start sending 
American money to countries throughout the world.
  We cannot continue to reward countries that do not comply with 
treaties and refuse to extradite criminals.
  It's a time to reconsider foreign aid.
  And that's just the way it is.

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