Bill > SR92

This Resolution expresses support for the "Walter Patterson and Werner Foerster Justice and Extradition Act," a piece of federal legislation introduced by United States Representatives Chris Smith and Albio Sires. The Act aims to address the issue of fugitives who commit crimes in the United States and then flee to foreign countries, making it difficult for the U.S. to prosecute or punish them. Extradition is the formal process where one country surrenders a person to another country for prosecution or punishment. The Resolution highlights specific cases, such as George Wright, who was convicted of murder and fled to Portugal, and Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur), convicted of murder and believed to be in Cuba, both of whom Cuba and Portugal refuse to extradite. The Act requires the President of the United States to report to Congress on fugitives living abroad whose extradition has been sought, with the goal of gathering information to improve U.S. efforts to secure their return and uphold the rule of law, as convicted criminals should not evade justice simply by fleeing to countries that refuse extradition.