congressional_record: CREC-1998-11-12-pt1-PgE2307-2
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-1998-11-12-pt1-PgE2307-2 | 1998-11-12 | 105 | 2 | REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS CONCERNING DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | ALLOTHER | E2307 | E2307 | [{"name": "Louis Stokes", "role": "speaking"}] | [{"congress": "105", "type": "S", "number": "759"}] | 144 Cong. Rec. E2307 | Congressional Record, Volume 144 Issue 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998) [Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E2307] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS CONCERNING DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY ______ HON. LOUIS STOKES of ohio in the house of representatives Thursday, November 12, 1998 Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 759 which requires the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress concerning any pending or ongoing cases involving foreign diplomats in the United States who commit serious crimes. This measure will allow the Congress to monitor serious offenses committed by individuals with such immunity to ensure that this privilege is not abused. This bill directs the Department of State to provide adequate and pertinent information to the Congress for determining the frequency and legitimacy of diplomatic immunity claims requested by foreign governments. Moreover, the report will include incidents in which foreign governments have requested that the United States waive immunity for American diplomats who have committed serious crimes. The information provided will allow the Congress to reexamine its current policies regarding diplomatic immunity while determining whether further agreements between nations and/or legislation is needed to reduce the applicability of such privilege. Mr. Speaker, while it is clear that most individuals entitled to diplomatic immunity maintain the highest standards of conduct while carrying out their duties, we must recognize instances when such privilege should not be provided. I am often reminded on Viviane Wagner's struggle to hold a foreign diplomat criminally responsible for a drunk driving accident which claimed the life of her daughter, Joviane Waltrick. Although the diplomat's immunity was later waived, we must recognize that such reckless conduct should not be subject to immunity under any circumstance or in any country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of S. 759. This measure will provide useful information for the Congress to determine more appropriate circumstances for the application of diplomatic immunity. Vote yes on S. 759. ____________________ |