HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Copy of MDC ResolutionApproved Mayor Agenda Item No. 11(A) (7)
Veto 12 -18- 0 7
Override
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE TO CONVENE A GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE
THE MURDERS OF ARMANDO ALEJANDRE JR., MARIO DE
LA PENA, CARLOS COSTA AND PABLO MORALES, ALL
OF WHOM WERE SHOT DOWN BY TWO CUBAN AIR
FORCE WAR PLANES IN TWO UNARMED U.S. LICENSED
CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT WHILE FLYING A HUMANITARIAN
SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION IN THE FLORIDA
Ts
STRAITS ON FEBRUARY 24TH, 1996; URGING CONGRESS �ga �!
TO CONDEMN THESE ACTIONS e h�
WHEREAS, on February 24th, 1996, two unarmed U.S.-licensed civilian aircraft were
shot down while flying a humanitarian search and rescue mission in the Florida Straits by two
Cuban Air Force war planes; and
WHEREAS, this action resulted in the deaths of Vietnam Veteran Armando Alejandre
Jr., Corporal United States Marine Corps; U.S. Citizens Mario de la Pena and Carlos Costa, and
legal U.S. resident Pablo Morales; and
WHEREAS, the planes were shot down with no prior warning and without adhease4o
the protocol established by international law with regard to unarmed civilian planes; and
WHEREAS, subsequent investigations and statements by eyewitnesses demonstrated
that the unarmed planes were shot down in international airspace; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Committee on
Human Rights, the European Union, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Inter -
American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of the American States condemned
these acts by the Cuban regime; and
SUBMFTTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
3'TEM NnsON l-in-oy
00- 0O032- Subrni b,(af. Copts of r'ilDC Y►e`>olutior)
Agenda Item No. 11(A) (7 )
Page No. 2
WHEREAS, in spite of the overwhelming evidence against the Cuban regime, including
public admissions by both Fidel and Raul Castro admitting responsibility for these premeditated
criminal acts, no action has been initiated by the previous or current U.S. administration,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section I, Urges the U.S. Department of Justice to convene a grand jury to
investigate the murders of Armando Alejandre Jr,, Mario de la Pena, Carlos Costa and Pablo
Morales, who were shot down by two Cuban Air Force war planes in two unarmed U.S. licensed
civilian aircraft while flying a humanitarian search and rescue mission in the Florida Straits on
February 24th, 1996.
Section 2. Urges the U.S. Department of Justice to focus its investigation on
identifying the particular persons who actually committed the acts of murder by shooting down
unarmed civilians in a U.S. licensed aircraft, as well as identifying the persons who issued the
orders to shoot down these planes.
Section 3. Urges Congress to condemn the actions of the Cuban regime as set forth
above.
Section 4, Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution
to the members of the Florida Congressional Delegation and the U.S. Attorney General.
Section 5. Directs the County's federal lobbyists to advocate for the action set forth
in Sections 1, 2 and 3, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in
the 2008 Federal Legislative Package.
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
ITEMnae
Agenda Item No. 11(A) (7 )
Page No. 3
The foregoing resolution was sponsored by Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz and offered
by Commissioner
seconded by Commissioner
was as follows:
, who moved its adoption. The motion was
and upon being put to a vote, the vote
Bruno A. Barreiro, Chairman
Barbara.J. Jordan, Vice -Chairwoman
Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Carlos A. Oimenez
Joe A. Martinez
Dorrin D. Rolle
Katy Sorenson
Sen. Javier D. Souto
Audrey M. Edmonson
Sally A. Heyman
Dennis C. Moss
Natacha Seijas
Rebeca Sosa
The Chairperson thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this
18th day of December, 2007. This resolution shall become effective ten (10) days after
the date of its adoption unless vetoed by the Mayor, and if vetoed, shall become effective
only upon an override by this Board.
Approved by County Attorney as
to form and legal sufficiency.
Jess M. McCarty
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY ITS BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HARVEY RUVIN, CLERK
By:
Deputy Clerk
s
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
lTEM ONm-io-a
Jose "Pepe" Diaz
073629 Resolution Rebeca Sosa
Sen. Javier D. Souto
RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO
CONVENE A GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE THE MURDERS OF
ARMANDO ALEJANDRE JR., MARIO DE LA PENA, CARLOS COSTA
AND PABLO MORALES, ALL OF WHOM WERE SHOT DOWN BY TWO
CUBAN AIR FORCE WAR PLANES IN TWO UNARMED U.S. LICENSED
CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT WHILE FLYING A HUMANITARIAN SEARCH AND
RESCUE MISSION IN THE FLORIDA STRAITS ON FEBRUARY 24TH,
1996; URGING CONGRESS TO CONDEMN THESE ACTIONS [SEE
ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 073628]
12/18/2007 Adopted by BCC Passed 11 - 0
¶ PDF
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
ITEMn5 ONoi-o-o.
MEMORANDUM
Agenda Item No. 11(A) (7 )
TO: Honorable Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro DATE: December 18, 2007
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
FROM: R. A. Cuevas, Jr.
County Attorney
SUBJECT: Resolution Urging the
U.S. Dept. of Justice to
Convene a Grand Jury to
Investigate the Murders of
Those Shot Down by' Two
Cuban Air Force War Planes
RAC/dc
The accompanying resolution was prepared and placed on the agenda at the request of
Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz.
R. A. Cu as, Jr.
County Attorney
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
ITEM n ON O1-tO-O.
MEMORANDUM
(Revised)
TO: Honorable Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro DATE: December 18, 2007
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
FROM: R. A. Cdevas, Jr
County Attorney
SUBJECT: Agenda Item No. 11(A) (7 )
Please note any items checked.
"4-Day Rule" ("3-Day Rule" for committees) applicable if raised
6 weeks required between first reading and public hearing
4 weeks notification to municipal officials required prior to public
hearing
Decreases revenues or increases expenditures without balancing budget
Budget required
Statement of fiscal impact required
Bid waiver requiring County Manager's written recommendation
Ordinance creating a new board requires detailed County Manager's
report for public hearing
Housekeeping item (no policy decision required)
No committee review
SUBMITTED INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
1TEMn ONoo
,1,1,11,111111,111411,11,
PETITION
To: The Hon. Peter Keisler, Acting U.S. Attorney General
To: R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of
Florida
Prosecute the culprits in the murder of Vietnam Veteran Armando
Alejandre, Jr. Corporal, United States Marine Corps and three
other civilians by officers of the Cuban Armed Forces.
We, the undersigned, veterans of the United States Armed Forces,
organizations, institutions, churches, and individuals are appalled at the lack of action by the United
States administrations on the wanton murder of Vietnam Veteran Arando Alejandre, Jr., Corporal,
United States Marine Corps, and three other civilians shot down in international air space while flying in
two unarmed pla��ues.
1. On February 24th, 1996 two unarmed US. licensed civilian Cessna 337 planes belonging to the
organization "Brothers to the Rescue" were shot down by two Cuban Revolutionary Air Force
MIG jets, causing the death of two -tour Vietnam Veteran Armando Alejandre, Jr., Corporal
United States Marine Corps; U.S. citizens Mario de la Pena and Carlos Costa, and legal
resident Pablo Morales.
2. The planes were shot down without any prior warning or adherence to the protocol established by
international laws with regards to civilian unarmedplanes.
3. Consequent investigations and statements by eyewitnesses amply demonstrated that the unarmed
planes were shot, down in international air space.
4. The United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Committee on Human Rights, the European
Union, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the Inter -American Commission on
Haarnan Rights of the Organization of the American States condemned this act of terrorism
by the Cuban regime,
5. In spite of the overwhelming amount of evidence against the Cuban regime, including the public
confessions made by both Fidel and Raul Castro admitting their direct responsibility for this
criminal act, no action whatsoever has been initiated by the previous or current U.S.
administrations.
We, the undersigned, demand an immediate response by U.S. authorities to our request for a Grand Jury
to convene to investigate this case, and to take all the legal steps necessary to indict Fidel Castro, Raul
Castro and all those in the chain of command of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces responsible for
this terrorist action. We see no reason as to why the Cuban officials should be above U.S. and international
laws.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
To sign the petition visit: www.veteranscava.org