[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 626]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    WE MUST BRING OUR CHILDREN HOME

  (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, every day for a year I spoke out on 
international child abduction. Today I will focus on one case, that of 
Ludwig Koons, who is being illegally kept in Rome, Italy. Until Ludwig 
is returned to the United States, I will speak with outrage at the 
injustice that is being done to this family, an example of what 
thousands of American parents and their children face every day.
  Ludwig Koons was born in New York and was abducted from the 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 U.S. and Italian psychologists have stated 
that Ludwig is in grave danger and must be returned to Mr. Koons. Yet 
he remains captive in Italy, being held by the Italian Government and 
by his mother, a porn star living in a pornographic compound.
  Mr. Speaker, every day Members of this body and administration speak 
out on 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. Mr. Speaker, we must bring our children home.

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