[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6175-6176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNT VERNON SUPPORTS THE FAMILY OF AMADOU DIALLO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
this chamber a resolution adopted March 9, 2005 by the City Council of 
Mount Vernon, New York, supporting relief for the family of Amadou 
Diallo. The resolution calls on Congress to grant permanent resident 
status to the family of the young African immigrant who was shot 41 
times by four plainclothes New York policemen.
  The full text of the resolution of the Mount Vernon City Council 
follows:

       Whereas, Amadou Diallo, a 24 year old immigrant from 
     Guinea, was tragically gunned down in a hail of 41 bullets on 
     February 4, 1999, by officers of the New York City Police 
     Department as he attempted to enter his residence in the 
     Bronx; and
       Whereas, Amadou Diallo, an innocent man, was found to be 
     unarmed at the time of his shooting; and
       Whereas, the tragic story of Amadou Diallo garnered 
     international attention, and an unprecedented outcry and 
     weeks of demonstrations by New Yorkers who sympathized with 
     his family;
       Whereas, the Diallo family currently resides in the United 
     States under ``deferred action status'' and are vulnerable to 
     deportation in the upcoming months; and
       Whereas, the Diallo family wishes to remain in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, the Honorable United States Congressman Charles 
     Rangel has proposed legislation, namely H.R. 677, which would 
     grant permanent resident status to Amadou Diallo's family 
     members: Kadiatou Diallo, Laouratou Diallo, Ibrahima Diallo, 
     Abdoul Diallo, Mamadou Bobo Diallo, Mamadou Pathe Diallo, 
     Fatoumata Traore Diallo, Sankarela Diallo and Marliatou Bah; 
     and
       Whereas, granting permanent resident status to the Diallo 
     family would be a proper and just recognition of the tragedy 
     they have suffered, and it will allow the Diallo family to 
     pursue the opportunities promised by the American Dream; and
       Whereas, the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon fully 
     supports Congressman Rangel's proposed legislation and 
     commends his efforts to keep the Diallo family in the United 
     States; Now, Therefore, be it resolved that the City Council 
     of the City of Mount Vernon, New York:
       Hereby, fully supports Congressman Rangel's proposed 
     legislation, H.R. 677, which would grant permanent resident 
     status to Amadou Diallo's family members: Kadiatou Diallo, 
     Laouratou Diallo, Ibrahima Diallo, Abdoul Diallo, Mamadou 
     Bobo Diallo, Mamadou Pathe Diallo, Fatoumata Traore Diallo, 
     Sankarela Diallo and Marliatou Bah.
       Resolved, that the City Council of the City of Mount 
     Vernon, New York, calls upon the United States Congress to 
     support Congressman Charles Rangel's proposed legislation, 
     H.R. 677, which would grant permanent resident status to 
     Amadou Diallo's family members: Kadiatou Diallo, Laouratou 
     Diallo, Ibrahima Diallo, Abdoul Diallo, Mamadou Bobo Diallo, 
     Mamadou Pathe Diallo, Fatoumata Traore Diallo, Sankarela 
     Diallo and Marliatou Bah.

  I extend my personal thanks to Mayor Ernest D. Davis, City Council 
President Karen Watts, City Councilman William R. Randolph, and the 
rest of the Mount Vernon City Council for this resolution.
  Surely, this Congress can heed the advice of the City Council and 
truly embrace the Diallo family for the loss of their son and brother.

[[Page 6176]]



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