Thread: Duncan Hunter Statement at Senate Hearing

Subject: JUST IN Rep Duncan Hunter TESTIMONY July 17 Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

Just in from Congressman Duncan Hunter's Office http://www.house. gov/hunter/

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Testimony of the Honorable Duncan Hunter
U.S. House of Representatives

Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
July 17, 2007


"Chairman Feinstein and Ranking Member Kyl, thank you for convening this important hearing today on the conviction and imprisonment of Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to appear before you to provide my perspective on this matter, which I believe, represents a severe miscarriage of justice.

"The conviction of agents Compean and Ramos represents a compelling case for a presidential pardon for one reason: prison sentences of 11 and 12 years, respectively, for wounding a fleeing drug smuggler on the U.S. - Mexico border, are not justified by any version or interpretation of the facts. Even if you accept the drug dealer's version of what occurred as he attempted to run more than 740 pounds of illegal narcotics across the Southern land border, there is absolutely no justification for such unfair and excessive prison sentences.

"The drug dealer contends that he was escaping to Mexico and presented no threat to agents Compean and Ramos, and, therefore, their actions constitute an unjustified assault. Conversely, the agents claimed they had a reasonable apprehension and the drug smuggler was armed, thereby justifying their response, which involved the discharge of their firearms.

"The U.S. government sadly decided to side with the drug dealer and prosecute agents Compean and Ramos for simply fulfilling their duties as Border Patrolmen. The drug smuggler walked away from the incident with a wound in his rear-end, only to attempt another drug run soon after.

"In representing a border community for more than 26 years, I have worked with the fine men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol to ensure they receive the support and resources they need to address the constant intrusion of drug and human smugglers across our borders. It troubles me to think that questionable testimony by a drug smuggler, who was granted immunity and free medical care for his cooperation, was put before the two Border Patrol agents who willingly accepted this inherently dangerous responsibility.

"The men and women of the Border Patrol are certainly not above the laws they are empowered to enforce. But they must also know that when they must apply the necessary and appropriate level of force, their government will not work aggressively to ensure they are punished while lawlessness is rewarded.

"I strongly believe pardoning agents Compean and Ramos is the only option available to correct this terrible injustice and, just as importantly, restoring the confidence of the Border Patrol and the American people - that their nation is serious about enforcing its immigration and smuggling laws.

"Thank you again for this opportunity and for holding this important hearing to review the case of Agents Ramos and Compean. I look forward to working with you to rectify this situation and implement policies to ensure it is never repeated."

Duncan Hunter has been one of the biggest advocates in Congress for the release of Ramos and Compeon. While other were talking, Duncan Hunter's (R-CA) was busy drafting a bill to pardon Ramos and Compeon.

Congressional Pardon for Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean Act (Introduced in House)

HR 563 IH


110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 563
To vacate further proceedings in the prosecution of certain named persons.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 18, 2007
Mr. HUNTER (for himself, Mr. POE, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. GOODE, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. HERGER, Mr. COLE of Oklahoma, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mr. CARTER, Mr. PORTER, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. GERLACH, Mr. MICA, Mr. SAXTON, Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. HOBSON, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. WALSH of New York, Mr. TERRY, Ms. FOXX, Mr. HASTINGS of Washington, Mr. WELDON of Florida, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. KIRK, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. RENZI, Mr. BONNER, Mr. BAKER, Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. EVERETT, Mr. CANNON, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. COBLE, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. GILCHREST, Mr. HAYES, Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky, Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky, Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. LATOURETTE, Mr. YOUNG of Florida, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. PITTS, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. MCKEON, Mr. AKIN, Mr. KINGSTON, and Mr. TIAHRT) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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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A BILL
To vacate further proceedings in the prosecution of certain named persons.

Whereas the conviction and sentencing of United States Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean for the pursuit and shooting of drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila which is the subject of a Federal criminal case in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas represents an extreme injustice: Now, therefore,


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Congressional Pardon for Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean Act'.

SEC. 2. ORDER.

It is hereby ordered that the conviction and sentences of Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean are vacated. The release of the defendants from the custody of the Government is hereby ordered, with prejudice. No further criminal prosecution or other proceeding against these named individuals with respect to the circumstances giving rise to the convictions and sentences vacated by this Act shall take place.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that the Department of Homeland Security review the rules of engagement presently utilized by the United States Border Patrol.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.563:

H.R.563
Title: To vacate further proceedings in the prosecution of certain named persons.
Sponsor: Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] (introduced 1/18/2007) Cosponsors (100)
Related Bills: H.CON.RES.37
Latest Major Action: 2/2/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.00563:

Way to go Honorable Duncan Hunter, what a guy!!!!


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