Steve Rothman: “I come here this evening, however, to wholeheartedly support and endorse, and I ask my colleagues to support, the Goss…”

“I come here this evening, however, to wholeheartedly support and endorse, and I ask my colleagues to support, the Goss amendment. In my opinion, the United States should not lift the travel ban to Cuba until several important conditions are met. Foremost on this list of conditions is the requirement that Cuba return convicted American fugitives now living in Cuba who have been given sanctuary in Cuba by the Castro government. My passion for this particular condition is rooted in the 74 cases of American fugitives from justice now living under Castro's protection in Cuba. Let me tell my colleagues about one of these fugitives from American justice. Joanne Chesimard, a convicted cop killer. On May 2, 1973, New Jersey State Troopers Werner Foerster and James Harper pulled over Joanne Chesimard and two of her companions in a routine traffic stop. A shoot-out began and Trooper Foerster, who had served on the force for less than 3 years, was shot and killed.”