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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1120 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1120

    Condemning Joanne Chesimard and those who celebrate her and her 
  actions, and honoring the law enforcement members killed by her and 
                      groups she was connected to.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 9, 2024

 Mr. D'Esposito submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on 
  Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Condemning Joanne Chesimard and those who celebrate her and her 
  actions, and honoring the law enforcement members killed by her and 
                      groups she was connected to.

Whereas Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, is a convicted murderer 
        and member of the Black Liberation Army, a violent guerilla group whose 
        tactics were inspired by movements abroad;
Whereas Chesimard was involved in numerous assaults and robberies through her 
        leadership in the Black Liberation Army, including bank robberies in 
        Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, hand grenade attacks against New York 
        Police Department (``NYPD'') officers, and an armed robbery at Our Lady 
        of the Presentation Church in Brownsville;
Whereas Chesimard has been connected to numerous murders of NYPD officers, 
        including being a leader of a Black Liberation Army cell that carried 
        out execution-style murders of officers between 1971 and 1972;
Whereas, on May 2, 1973, Chesimard murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner 
        Foerster by shooting him twice with his own weapon, and injured another 
        trooper;
Whereas, on March 26, 1977, Chesimard was found guilty on 8 counts, including 2 
        for murder and 6 for assault and related charges, and sentenced to life 
        imprisonment;
Whereas, on November 2, 1979, Chesimard escaped from prison with the assistance 
        of members of the Black Liberation Army and May 19th Communist 
        Organization;
Whereas Chesimard continued assaults on law enforcement after her escape from 
        prison, as she was suspected to be in a van in 1981 that opened fire on 
        a patrol car, killing 1 NYPD officer and wounding another;
Whereas Joanne Chesimard remains on the FBI's Most Wanted list after seeking 
        refuge in Cuba, where it is believed she is still hiding;
Whereas, on September 14, 1998, the House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 
        254 (105th), ``Calling on the Government of Cuba to extradite to the 
        United States convicted felon Joanne Chesimard and all other individuals 
        who have fled the United States to avoid prosecution or confinement for 
        criminal offenses and who are currently living freely in Cuba'', by a 
        vote of 371-0;
Whereas, on October 21, 1998, the Senate passed H. Con. Res. 254 (105th) by 
        unanimous consent;
Whereas, on September 29, 1998, the then-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus 
        stated that she inadvertently voted yes, and actually opposed H. Con. 
        Res. 254 (105th) because she believed that Chesimard and other members 
        of the Black Liberation Movement were targeted for prosecution based on 
        their political beliefs, despite the fact that Chesimard was convicted 
        on 8 counts, including first-degree murder; and
Whereas people and groups in positions of power, have celebrated Chesimard's 
        life, referred to Chesimard as an individual to be honored, and treated 
        her as a role model that children should emulate: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the actions of Joanne Chesimard, also known as 
        Assata Shakur, for her heinous crimes, including the murder of 
        New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and her connection to 
        countless other injuries and deaths of members of law 
        enforcement;
            (2) honors the life and heroic actions of law enforcement 
        members whose deaths were connected to Joanne Chesimard, 
        including:
                    (A) NYPD Patrolman Joseph Piagentini, 32nd Precinct 
                (5/21/1971);
                    (B) NYPD Patrolman Waverly Jones, 32nd Precinct (5/
                21/1971);
                    (C) NYPD Patrolman Gregory Foster, 9th Precinct (1/
                28/1972);
                    (D) NYPD Patrolman Rocco Laurie, 9th Precinct (1/
                28/1972);
                    (E) New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster (5/2/
                1973); and
                    (F) NYPD Officer John Scarangella, 113th Precinct 
                (5/1/1981);
            (3) rejects any celebration of Chesimard and condemns those 
        who honor her or her actions; and
            (4) calls on the Government of Cuba to immediately 
        extradite convicted felon Joanne Chesimard, who has fled the 
        United States to avoid prosecution and confinement for criminal 
        offenses and is currently living freely in Cuba, receiving 
        funding from the Cuban Government and proceeds from the sale of 
        her autobiography.
                                 <all>
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