Congressional Letters, Statements, and Resolutions

Current List of Co-Signers on this Letter

• Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) - Original co-signer
• Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) - Original co-signer

"We write to express our deep concern for the rights of Colombia's Afro descendents and indigenous populations, and to affirm that the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) should not be considered as drafted. We believe that the United States and the Colombian Government should take the immediate steps to strenghthen Afro-Colombians' territorial rights and prevent further displacement of Afro-Colombians." Read the full letter here (PDF).

List of Members who signed letter:

• Hank Johnson (D-GA-4)
• John Conyers (D-MI-14)
• Gwen Moore (D-WI-4)
• Bobby Rush (D-IL-1)
• Barbara Lee (D-CA-9)
• Donals Payne (D-NJ-10)
• Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7)
• Michael Michaud (D-ME-2)
• Keith Ellison (D-MN-5)
• Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22)
• Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL-2)
• Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18)
• Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6)
• James McGovern (D-MA-3)
• Bob Filner (D-CA-51)
• Dennis Kucinish (D-OH-10)
• Maxine Waters (D-CA-35)
• Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9)
• Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9)
• Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2)
• Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1)
• Emanuel Cleaver (DD-MO-5)
• Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At large)
• Danny Davis (D-IL-7)

• Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) - Original co-signer
• Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) - Original co-signer
• Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ) - Original co-signer
• Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) - Original co-signer
• Representative Hank Johnson, Jr. (D-GA)
• Representative Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
• Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI)
• Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
• Representative Bob Filner (D-CA)
• Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL)
• Representative George Miller (D-CA)
• Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
• Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
• Representative José Serrano (D-NY)
• Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
  
• Representative John Lewis (D-GA)
• Representative Dennis Moore (D-KS)
• Representative Jim Oberstar (D-MN)
  
• Representative Danny Davis (D-IL)
• Representative John Olver (D-MA)
  
• Representative Michael Capuano (D-MA)
• Representative Lacy Clay (D-MO)
• Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
• Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
• Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN)
• Representative Donna Edwards (D-MA)
• Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA)
• Representative Peter Welch (D-VT)
• Representative John Tierney (D-MA)
• Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
• Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI)
• Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA)
• Representative John Conyers Jr. (D-MI)
  
• Representative Pete Visclosky (D-IN)
• Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA)
  
• Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
• Representative Phil Hare (D-IL)
• Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ)
  
• Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA)
• Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL)
• Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN)
  
• Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
• Representative Mike Michaud (D-ME)
• Representative Ed Markey (D-MA)
• Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MA)
  
• Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
  
• Representative Betty Sutton (D-OH)
  
• Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
  
• Representative Barney Frank (D-MA)
• Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
• Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
  

"We write to you regarding the extradition last month from Colombia to the United States of several paramilitary leaders of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, which is on the U.S. Department of States's list of foreign terrorist organizations. We are pleased that these criminals will be tried for their U.S. drug-trafficking crimes. At the same time, we ask you to keep in mind the horrific human rights abuses these men have committed in Colombia." Read the full letter (PDF).

"We wish to convey our grave concern regarding threats and attacks against human rights defenders preceding and following the March 6, 2008 nationwide rally against paramilitary and other forms of violence. We urge you to take a firm and public stance in support of those who promote and protect human rights." Read the full letter (PDF).

"We share with you a firm commitment for U.S. policy to consolidate Colombia's democratic institutions, increase respect for human rights and strengthen the rule of law... We write to call your attention to increased reports alleging extrajudicial executions of civilians by members of the Colombian armed forces." Read the full letter here (PDF).

List of senators who signed the letter:

Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Russ Feingold (D-WI)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Herb Kohl (D-WI)
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
John Kerry (D-MA)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

"Colombia remains the most dangerous place in the world to be a part of a labor union...Strong, affirmative actions must be taken to protect the vital human right to organize a union and to negotiate for decent wages and benefits." Read the full letter (PDF).

"We would like to express our support for the carefully balanced aid package to Colombia that invests in the long-term economic prosperity of the country, while simultaneously attending to immediate security needs of Colombia. Colombia has made great strides in its effort to extend state institutions into areas that were once ungovernable. Now it is time to consolidate those gains through responsible aid for security and greater investment in social and economic development." Read the full letter (PDF).

"We write today to express our deep concern regarding what appear to be politically-motivated burglaries targeting human rights and peace organizations. We recognize the many difficult challenges you face in strengthening the rule of law in your country during an ongoing conflict and were encouraged after your recent visit to Washington, D.C., where you reiterated your commitment to human rights. In light of your stance, we are taking this opportunity to call on your government to act on these serious allegations." Read the full letter (PDF).