IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 156

Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release

of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher

Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 3, 1999

Mrs. MEEK of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing

the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville,

Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles,

California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of

Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade,

Yugoslavia.

Whereas, on March 31, 1999, Specialist Steven Gonzales,

Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant

Christopher Stone were captured while on patrol along

the border of Kosovo and Macedonia;

Whereas all diplomatic efforts to secure their release were unsuccessful;
2

•HR 156 IH

Whereas Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., on April 29, 1999,

led a delegation of religious and civic leaders from the

United States, including Representative Rod R.

Blagojevich, in a faith-based effort to secure the release

of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone;

Whereas against great odds and in the face of grave personal

risks, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and his party entered

a war zone and successfully secured the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez,

and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone;

Whereas Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. has successfully secured

the release of prisoners in other countries on several previous occasions—in 1984 he secured the release of

United States Navy flyer, Lieutenant Robert O. Goodman, Jr. from Syria, in June 1984, he secured the release of 22 United States citizens and 26 Cubans from

Cuba, and in 1990 he secured the release of 700 women

and children who were being detained in Iraq;

Whereas Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is recognized around the

world as a humanitarian, an advocate for civil and

human rights, and an ambassador of freedom; and

Whereas, as a highly respected world leader, Rev. Jesse L.

Jackson, Sr. has acted many times as an international

diplomat in sensitive situations and in October 1997, he

was appointed by President Clinton and Secretary of

State Albright as Special Envoy of the President and

Secretary of State for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
3

•HR 156 IH

1 (1) commends Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

2 for securing the release of Specialist Steven

3 Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff

4 Sergeant Christopher Stone from captivity in Bel5 grade, Yugoslavia;

6 (2) expresses its gratitude to Rev. Jesse L.

7 Jackson, Sr. and his delegation for securing the re8 lease and safe return of Specialist Steven Gonzales,

9 Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant

10 Christopher Stone; and

11 (3) joins with the people of the United States

12 in celebrating the return to freedom of Specialist

13 Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez,

14 and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone.

Æ