WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today called for the immediate
reunification of Elian Gonzalez with his father. Schakowsky had recently
contacted Attorney General Janet Reno to urge her to take the necessary
steps to bring the father and son together as soon as possible.
Below
is Schakowsky’s statement.
“Like
most Americans, I believe parents have the right to make decisions that
affect their children. All attempts to deny this father his
legal rights and all attempts to delay this reunification are misguided
and must stop.
“Elian
Gonzalez belongs with his father. This young boy has suffered so
much after the death of his mother. It would be a tragedy if
he were forced to grow up without his other parent, who is only ninety
miles away.
“Using
this young boy as a pawn in the larger debate about American – Cuban policy
is despicable. We cannot allow the merits of our justice system to be compromised
by anyone or any group. Keeping this young boy away from his father
is a miscarriage of justice. Reuniting Elian with his father is our
moral obligation.” |