Nick Lampson: “I rise today to continue my talks about Ludwig Koons, the 9-year-old little United States citizen who is being held in…”

“I rise today to continue my talks about Ludwig Koons, the 9-year-old little United States citizen who is being held in the country of Italy. Last week I met with Ambassador Salleo of Italy, and I want to thank the Ambassador from Italy, for he is trying to help this American citizen come back home to the United States where he belongs. This is more than I can say for our own State Department. Two weeks ago the Washington Post ran a story on the removal of Mary Ryan from her position at the State Department. Ms. Ryan at one time was in charge of the office that handles international abduction of children. I am asking the State Department to look into the handling of that office over the past years, just as they are doing other offices that Ms. Ryan was in charge of. Jeff and Ludwig Koons, just like thousands of other parents, are not getting concrete help from our State Department. If the State Department does not do something about it, then Congress must. Please help us bring our children home.”