NEWS FROM
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr
Second Congressional District of Maryland
1 407 York Road, Suite 304 315 Cannon House Office Building
Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 Washington, D.C. 205 1 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan
September 9, 1999
202/225-3061
CONGRESS CONDEMNS PRESIDENT CLINTON’S
CLEMENCY OFFER TO PUERTO RICAN TERRORISTS
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and the House of Representatives
voted overwhelmingly to express strong disapproval of President Clinton’s grant of clemency to
12 terrorists. H.Con.Res.180, which passed by 311-41, "expressed the Sense of Congress that
President Clinton should not have granted clemency to 12 members of the Armed Forces of
National Liberation (the "FALN") convicted of numerous felonies against the United States,
including seditious conspiracy." On August 11, 1999, the president offered clemency to a total
of 16 FALN members. By today, 12 members accepted; four declined. The offer was opposed
by the nation’s law enforcement institutions and prosecutors including the FBI, the Federal
Bureau of Prisons, and two U.S. Attorneys.
From 1974-1983, the FALN militant terrorist organization bombed roughly 130 civilian,
political, and military sites throughout the U.S., resulting in six deaths and the permanent
maiming of dozens of other individuals, including law enforcement personnel. In return for
clemency, the members, all of whom served fewer than 20 years of their prison sentences, had to
renounce terrorist acts and vow never again to engage in such violent activity. However, the
resolution notes that none of the 16 defendants contested evidence presented against them or
expressed remorse for their actions.
Congressman Ehrlich stated, “I support U.S. long standing policy on terrorism which allows no
concessions to terrorists. I am concerned, therefore, about President Clinton’s sudden
commutation of 16 Puerto Rican terrorists and, with it, the reversal of U.S. policy. Further, due
to the opposition from law enforcement officials, including the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, I
support a Congressional inquiry.
The President’s actions send the wrong signal to our nation’s youth and the world. As, a
Member of this 1 06th Congress, I have worked to keep firearms and explosives out of the hands
of criminals and juveniles. As a result, I am opposed to any action which potentially threatens
Americans, law enforcement officers and sends a terrible message to our youth.”
