Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan were brutally murdered while working in El Salvador with victims of the civil war. Following their deaths, a U.N.-sponsored investigation determined the women’s abductions and deaths had been planned in advance and were approved by high-ranking military officials.

In 1984 a judge convicted and sentenced five military members to thirty years in jail. This was the first time a judge had convicted members of the military on assassination charges. Today, the vicitms’ families continue to press for justice against the military officials who have retired to Florida.

The churchwomen’s murders spawned a grassroots movement in the United States that stirred up controversy over US involvement in El Salvador’s civil war. The passage of Representative McGovern’s resolution with support on both sides of the House is an important bipartisan step recognizing abuses by the Salvadoran military - and celebrating the lives of these courageous women.

Click here to see the text of Rep. McGovern’s speech
Click here to see the text of Margie Swedish, Ursuline Sister and LAWG board member, commemorating speech

Take Action!

Thank Representative Jim McGovern for introducing legislation to commemorate the lives of these brave women.

Send a letter by mail or fax to:
The Hon. Jim McGovern
U.S. Congress
430 Cannon HOB
Washington DC 20510
Fax: (202) 225-5759

Or call:
(202) 225-6101