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