Earlier this month, the House and Senate passed identical resolutions (H. Con. Res. 90/ S. Con. Res. 16), condemning the ongoing abduction and murders of young women in Ciudad Juárez and the city of Chihuahua in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico; expressing condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims; and proposing a set of actions to investigate and prevent the crime.

Below is the text of the letter: 

Dear Secretary Rice:

            We are writing to bring the passage of H. Con. Res. 90 to your attention.  This resolution, which passed both the Senate and House of Representatives without opposition, expresses the sympathy of Congress to the families of the young women murdered in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, and encourages increased United States involvement in bringing an end to these crimes.

            As you know, the Mexican cities of Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua have been plagued with the abduction, sexual assault, and brutal murders of over 400 young women since 1993.  More than half of the victims have been women and girls between the ages of 13 and 22, and many of the victims have yet to be positively identified.

            While we recognize that the Mexican Federal Government has taken steps to prevent these abductions and murders, including setting up a commission to coordinate Federal and State efforts, establishing a 40-point plan, appointing a special commissioner, and appointing a special prosecutor, the killings have continued.  We strongly believe that the United States should work with the Government of Mexico in bringing an end to these brutal killings and provide whatever assistance that may be required.

Among other things, the resolution:

- urges the President and Secretary of State to incorporate the investigative and preventative efforts of the Mexican Government into the bilateral agenda between the Governments of Mexico and the United States and to continue to express concern over these abductions and murders to the Government of Mexico;

- urges the President and Secretary of State to continue to express support for the efforts of the victims' families to seek justice for the victims; to express concern relating to the continued harassment of these families and the human rights defenders with whom they work; and to express concern about the impediments to the ability of the families to receive prompt and accurate information in their cases;

- condemns all senseless acts violence against women; and expresses the solidarity of the people of the United States with the people of Mexico in the face of these tragic and senseless acts.

            We would like to know what steps you intend to take to implement these recommendations.  We look forward to working with you on this important issue and appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Hilda L. Solis                                                               Jeff Bingaman

Member of Congress                                                    United States Senator

(D-Calif.)                                                                     (D- N.M.)