IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 423 

Honoring the life, legacy, and example of Congressman Leo J. Ryan 35 

years after his tragic death. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 19, 2013 

Ms. WILSON of Florida (for herself, Ms. SPEIER, Ms. CHU, Mr. HONDA, Mr. 

FARR, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. WAXMAN, Mrs. CAPPS, 

Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. SWALWELL of California, Mrs. 

NAPOLITANO, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. 

CROWLEY, Mr. MORAN, Mr. BARROW of Georgia, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. DELANEY, and Mrs. LOWEY) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, 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 

Honoring the life, legacy, and example of Congressman Leo 

J. Ryan 35 years after his tragic death. 

Whereas the Honorable Leo J. Ryan served in the House of 

Representatives from 1972 to 1978 and championed 

causes related to equality, freedom, and human rights; 

Whereas Congressman Ryan, as presiding chairman of the 

California Assembly committee overseeing prison reform, 

entered Folsom Prison in 1970 under a pseudonym in an 

effort to uncover alleged abuses against convicts in California’s prisons; 


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•HRES 423 IH 

Whereas Congressman Ryan, while serving in the California 

Assembly, chose to serve as a substitute teacher in the 

Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles in order to investigate the conditions following the Watts Riots; 

Whereas Congressman Ryan, after hearing reports of United 

States citizens being held against their will in a prison 

camp atmosphere within the Guyana settlement of the 

People’s Temple organization, went on a fact finding mission to Jonestown, Guyana; 

Whereas on November 14, 1978, Congressman Ryan flew to 

Georgetown, Guyana along with a delegation of 18 people, including now-Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California as his legal advisor; 

Whereas on November 18, 1978, Congressman Ryan, 3 journalists, and a defecting member of the People’s Temple 

were killed by gunfire, which wounded 9 others, including 

Congresswoman Speier; 

Whereas 909 members of the People’s Temple committed suicide shortly after the murders on the airstrip; 

Whereas Congresswoman Jackie Speier had to endure the 

pain of 5 gunshot wounds for more than 22 hours before 

help arrived; 

Whereas Congressman Ryan is one of a small number of 

Members of Congress who have been killed in the line of 

duty; and 

Whereas Congressman Ryan dedicated his life to the cause of 

democracy, freedom, and human rights for the people of 

California, the United States, and the world: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 423 IH 

1 (1) honors the legacy of Congressman Leo J. 

2 Ryan for his lifelong commitment to objective fact3 finding and for his extraordinary commitment to ad4 vancing freedom and basic human rights at home 

5 and abroad; 

6 (2) honors the bravery of Congressman Ryan 

7 and his team members, including now-Congress8 woman Jackie Speier, for undertaking a dangerous 

9 yet essential fact-finding mission in Guyana; 

10 (3) extends its condolences to all those affected 

11 by the Jonestown tragedy; 

12 (4) reiterates its continued support for the safe13 ty of all government officials traveling on behalf of 

14 the United States on fact-finding missions; and 

15 (5) calls upon the Speaker of the House of Rep16 resentatives to establish protocols for memorializing 

17 Members who die in the line of duty. 

Æ 


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