Chairman Royce, Salmon advocated for Marine’s release

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S.  Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statements after a Mexican court decision to release U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from the jail in which he has been held since his March arrest:   

Chairman Royce said:  “I am elated that Sgt. Tahmooressi has been ordered released from jail in Mexico.  This is great, but overdue, news.  I am pleased that both Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam and the judge on the case recognize that Sgt. Tahmooressi did not intend to violate Mexican law, and that his combat-related PTSD should be treated by specialists in the United States.  As I said after visiting Andrew in the Mexican jail, he needs to come home to the United States to be with his mother Jill and the support network of friends I know to be standing by to help him.  He is a hero who served his country bravely on the battlefields of Afghanistan, which is why so many Americans have been focused on getting him home.  In working to secure Andrew’s release from jail, I was honored to spend some time with one of Andrew's fellow Marines, Robert Buchanan, who told me that Andrew was one of the bravest Marines with whom he had served.  I am firmly committed to ensuring that America’s courageous veterans be given all the support they need when they return home, which is why I have worked so hard to secure Andrew's release.  I am proud of the role the Foreign Affairs Committee played in pressing for his release.  Andrew's legal ordeal is over, and now he can focus on getting well and reaching his high potential.”

Subcommittee Chairman Salmon said:  “I am truly overjoyed to hear the news that our Marine Sgt. Tahmooressi is finally coming home to America.  During my last visit with Andrew in a Mexican prison, I told him the next time I saw him would be during his release to America; I am grateful that I will be able to keep that promise and be with him and Mrs. Tahmooressi as he returns to the United States tonight.  Andrew is a brave Marine who served his country with honor, and I have long maintained that he has been held in a Mexican prison for far too long, and needed to be returned to the United States to receive proper treatment for the PTSD that he suffers from as a direct result of his heroic service to our nation.  While I am disappointed that his release did not take place much sooner, I am thankful to Mexican Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam for displaying compassion for Sergeant Tahmooressi’s medical condition.  I want to thank former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for all his tireless efforts in aiding Andrew's release. Likewise, I want to recognize the support from many of my colleagues, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, for all they did to bring our Marine home.  Finally, I want to thank all Americans who have been keeping Andrew in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for him and his family.  I heard from many of you these past six months and your support was instrumental to his release.  We wish Andrew a safe and happy return to the United States."

Note:

·         On October 17, Chairman Royce met with Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Eduardo Medina Mora.  During the meeting, Chairman Royce pressed for a prompt release of Sgt. Tahmooressi.

 

·         On October 1, the Committee convened a hearing on Sgt. Tahmooressi’s detention.  Chairman Royce’s opening statement is HERE.  Subcommittee Chairman Salmon’s opening statement and other hearing information is available HERE. 

 

·         In September, Chairman Royce spoke by phone with Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam, urging that he dismiss the charges against Sgt. Tahmooressi and order his release.  A letter Chairman Royce and Subcommittee Chairman Salmon sent on September 26 to the Attorney General is available HERE. 

 

·         In June, Chairman Royce and Subcommittee Chairman Salmon visited with Sgt. Tahmooressi in prison in order to check on his condition.  A report on the prison visit is available HERE. 

 

·         Also in June, Chairman Royce personally contacted Mexico’s Foreign Secretary, Dr. Jose Antonio Meade Kuribeña, expressing his serious concern about Sgt. Tahmooressi’s arrest and detention and urging a quick resolution.  Chairman Royce’s letter is available HERE.

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