Expressing condolences to the families and friends of the 72 people who died in Mexico while migrating to the United States in search of better lives, and condemning the criminal network responsible for their massacre.

Bill Number: 
H.RES.1658
Bill Status: 
Bill introduced in Committee
Bill Location: 
House of Representatives
Date of Last Action: 
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Link to entire bill at the Library of Congress site.
Relevant Text: 

>H.RES.1658 -- Expressing condolences to the families and friends of the 72 people who died in Mexico while migrating to the United States in search of better lives, and condemning the criminal network... (Introduced in House - IH)

HRES 1658 IH

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. RES. 1658

Expressing condolences to the families and friends of the 72 people who died in Mexico while migrating to the United States in search of better lives, and condemning the criminal network responsible for their massacre.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 23, 2010

Mr. MORAN of Virginia submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Expressing condolences to the families and friends of the 72 people who died in Mexico while migrating to the United States in search of better lives, and condemning the criminal network responsible for their massacre.

Whereas, on August 25, 2010, 72 migrants were executed in Tamaulipas, Mexico, at the hands of a criminal syndicate that targeted them with the intention of extorting from them their last material resources;

Whereas the enormity and utter callousness of this crime shocks the sensibilities of the people of the United States as well as those of Mexico and throughout Latin America;

Whereas the proliferation of criminal gangs like the one responsible for this heinous crime highlight the extreme insecurity faced by migrants;

Whereas the current reality of depressed economic conditions, debilitated social circumstances, and the tragic stigmatization of migrants inspires a desire to uphold values of decency, shared responsibility, and concern for the poor;

Whereas legal protections are sadly absent for large numbers of migrants who elect to leave their communities of origin despite the great risks, in order to change the material conditions of their lives for the good of their families; and

Whereas the United States is a country of immigrants and their children who elected to exercise that very same basic human right to uproot themselves in order to improve their lives and make possible the success of their children and grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

      (1) expresses condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy for the terrible loss of life and supports the efforts of the Government of Mexico to thoroughly investigate the case, safeguard the survivors and witnesses, and prosecute the parties responsible for this tragedy;

      (2) recognizes that the Government of Mexico has adopted a Comprehensive Strategy for the Prevention of the Kidnapping of Migrants which, if effectively implemented, will help protect migrants from the abuses which led to this horrific disaster;

      (3) recognizes the important reform bill passed by the Mexican Congress that would allow undocumented migrants to file complaints and receive medical treatment, and the importance of taking concrete steps to apply this law; and

      (4) urges the Governments of the United States, Mexico, and nations throughout Latin America to--

        (A) commit to greater collaboration on the management and reform of migration policies within and between countries, to reduce the loss of life and establish safe, legal, and orderly migration that respects and protects human rights; and

        (B) work together to address the economic and social factors driving high rates of irregular migration that increasingly exposes migrants to exploitive and life-threatening conditions.