Boccieri-Ryan Resolution to Extradite Claudia Hoerig Passes House

Yesterday afternoon, the House approved an amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act calling for the extradition of suspected killer Claudia Hoerig. The resolution, introduced by Ohio Democratic Congressmen Tim Ryan and John Boccieri, expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Goverment should work as a priority to ensure that Claudia Hoerig is returned to Ohio to face justice.

Hoerig is currently hiding in Brazil, where she claims residence, after being accused of killing her husband, Air Force Maj. Karl Hoerig, in the couple's Ohio home. Brazil has refused her extradition to stand trial.

Boccieri, who served alongside Karl Hoerig in the Ohio Air National Guard, originally introduced a stand-alone resolution along with Ryan calling for Claudia Hoerig's extradition in April. The resolution was finally included as the manager's amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which was approved yesterday.

AMVETS Past National Commander John P. "JP" Brown III, a native of Ohio, has vocally called for Hoerig's extradition since the tragic shooting in 2007. Last spring, Brown made an empassioned speech on the issue before the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs. To see video of Cmdr. Brown's testimony, Click Here.

"In April of 2007 Maj. Karl D. Hoerig, a decorated pilot from the war in Iraq was brutally murdered. Accused in the murder is Maj. Hoerig's wife Claudia C. Hoerig. The case has stalled in light of Mrs. Hoerig returning to Brazil, her native country," Brown said during his testimony. "I request that each of you support the Department of State and the Department of Justice in extraditing Mrs. Hoerig so she can stand trial for the crime of which she is accused, and allow the family of an American hero to have some closure in this tragic event."

Brown has continued to push for Hoerig's extradition since returning to his home state, keeping the issue fresh in Congressman Ryan's ear.

Brown said that he hopes national media will pay attention to this issue, coupled with the ongoing dispute between David Goldman and the government of Brazil over parental custody of Sean Goldman, who was illegally abducted by his mother and taken to Rio de Janeiro for a "two-week vacation" in 2004.

AMVETS leaders will continue to support the work of Congress and the Department of State to return Claudia Hoerig stateside to face justice. Check back with American Veteran Online for updates as the Foreign Relations Authorization Act moves forward.

(Photo: Maj. Karl Hoerig flew over 200 combat missions, logging more than 400 combat flight hours as a member of the 910th Airlift Wing with the Ohio Air National Guard in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Air Force file photo of Maj. Karl Hoerig, released.)

Blogging from the Silver Helmet & NEC

It's once again time for the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee, and next week is going to be a busy one for AMVETS. It all starts on Tuesday with Legislative Director Ray Kelley's testimony before the House and Senate on the VA budget process for FY2010. On Thursday, National Commander John Chad Hapner will testify before a special joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees, outlining AMVETS' legislative agenda for the year. Later on Thursday, AMVETS will honor Texas Congressman Chet Edwards with a special Silver Helmet reception on Capitol Hill. Spring NEC preliminary business starts on Friday, with the full committee session on Saturday, followed by the 55th annual Silver Helmet Amwards banquet Saturday night. American Veteran magazine will be on hand to cover all of the events, with updates from Capitol Hill, the banquet, and the floor of then NEC.

In addition to the special award for Rep. Edwards, AMVETS will honor four more remarkable individuals during the black tie banquet for their contributions to the veterans' community: Danny Devine, Tammy Duckworth, Cathy Hargrave, and "E J" Knapick. To learn more about each recipient, visit the official Silver Helmet Awards page. This year's Silver Helmet Awards banquet and spring NEC will take place at the BWI Hilton in Linthicum, Md.

American Veteran magazine is going to hit the ground running on Tuesday, with comprehensive coverage of all the week's activities. Be sure to check in regularly at americanveteranmagazine.blogspot.com, and be on the look out of the spring issue of American Veteran magazine, with more photos and highlights from this exciting week.

-Ryan

(Photos, Top: Guests gather last spring for the 54 Annual Silver Helmet Awards at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, Va. Photo courtesy of AMVETS. Center: Past National Commander JP Brown III testifies before the special joint veterans affairs committee in spring 2008. Photo by Isaac Pacheco.)