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Sgt. Tahmooressi Statement for Congressional Record

06/26/14
 
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) entered the following statement into the Congressional Record today, regarding her constituent, Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi:
 
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituent, Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi, who is currently in jail in Mexico. I urge the government of Mexico to bring his case to trial and do all that they can to ensure he comes home safely and quickly. 
 
"Mr. Tahmooressi has nobly served our country during war.  He served two combat tours in Afghanistan including winning a combat field promotion to Sergeant in Helmand Province.  He was honorably discharged in 2012, but remains on reserve duty until 2016.  According to his family, he suffers from severe PTSD and had traveled from our hometown of Weston to California to seek treatment from a VA facility there. But he is currently in trouble and needs our assistance. 
 
"Andrew was arrested on April 1st of this year in Tijuana, Mexico after crossing the border with several firearms in his automobile as well as ammunition for these weapons.  He was then charged with possessing firearms and ammunition in violation of Mexican law.  Andrew, according to his signed statement, was traveling to visit a friend near the Mexican border on the night of April 1 when he made a wrong turn and accidentally crossed the border into Mexico. It is also our understanding that the weapons in his possession at that time were purchased legally in the United States. 
 
"After being held for two days in temporary holding, Andrew was transferred to La Mesa Penitentiary. Since his incarceration, Andrew has continued to suffer from PTSD. 
 
"Yesterday I spoke to Andrew’s mother Jill. As a mother, my heart goes out to her, her family and Andrew during this scary and uncertain time. As a fellow mother, her neighbor and her Representative, I committed to Jill that I will continue to do all that I can to bring Andrew home.
 
"I have raised Andrew and his situation personally with Vice President Joe Biden and with Mexican Ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora. I commend the State Department for their efforts to ensure that Andrew is being treated humanely by Mexican authorities, and for their efforts in helping secure an attorney for Andrew.  My staff and I have been in regular contact with the State Department since Andrew’s arrest.
 
"I call on Mexican government officials, specifically the Attorney General of Mexico to ensure that Andrew’s case moves as quickly as possible.
 
"I urge my colleagues to work collaboratively to find productive ways to bring Andrew home. There is absolutely no reason this important endeavor should be a partisan exercise. 
 
"Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time."
 
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