Doug Bereuter: “as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, this Member rises in strong support of House…”

“as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, this Member rises in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 232. This resolution, which expresses the sense of Congress regarding the safety and well-being of United States citizens who are traveling in Mexico, was introduced by our colleague, the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter). It is the result of a particularly unfortunate incident involving a California resident caught in a conflict between Mexican law and sound medical treatment provided to U.S. citizens as well as to other foreign citizens while traveling in Mexico. Last August, California resident Donald Craft, his wife, and three children were vacationing in Baja, Mexico, when they were involved in a serious automobile incident. Mr. Craft broke his neck and was in critical condition when he was taken to a local Mexican hospital where doctors advised his family that he be immediately transported to a trauma center in San Diego for more intensive life-saving medical care. There was, however, one problem. Under Mexican law, foreigners involved in traffic accidents being investigated for possible criminal action or who do not have Mexican automobile insurance cannot leave Mexico until a bond is posted. Mrs. Melody Craft, the victim's wife, was required to find and pay $7,000 before her critically injured husband would be allowed to leave the country.”