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House Speech Assassination of Dan Mitrione, August 11, 1970
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4526305
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House Speech Assassination of Dan Mitrione, August 11, 1970
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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Terrorism
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1970-08-31
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8
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1970
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1970-08-01
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1970
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The original documents are located in Box D30, folder "House Speech Assassination of Dan
Mitrione, August 11, 1970" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech
File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
lerry speech in In 8-11-70
Office House copy
Mr. Speaker, I raise my voice today in the hope
that peoples of the world of whatever persuasion, creed
or nationality will realize that the death Monday of an
American citizen in Montevideo, Uruguay at the hands of
Communist terrorists is a senseless, savage, cowardly
act; it is now clear for all the world to see how these
people plan to bring about changes in their society.
The wave of revulsion which has followed this brutal act
proclaims the total bankruptcy of terrorism, from
whatever end of the spectrum, as an instrument of
political action.
Dan A. Mitrione, Chief Public Safety Advisor of our
AID program of assistance to the Uruguayan police was
doing his job, helping the Uruguayan police to be more
effective in providing service to the public in a modern
and humane manner. Indeed he was trying to help the
police assume their proper role in Uruguayan society.
His assassination at the hands of the subversive Movement
for National Liberation bodes ill for the continued growth
of this society.
It has been suggested by some that this tragedy raises
questions as to whether the United States should be
instead
engaged in this activity. I submit that it provése how
important it is for us to persevere in this essential task.
LIBRAR.
Digitized from Box D30 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Jerry speech in In
Office House copy
8-11-70
Mr. Speaker, I raise my voice today in the hope
that peoples of the world of whatever persuasion, creed
or nationality will realize that the death Monday of an
American citizen in Montevideo, Uruguay at the hands of
Communist terrorists is a senseless, savage, cowardly
act; it is now clear for all the world to see how these
people plan to bring about changes in their society.
The wave of revulsion which has followed this brutal act
proclaims the total bankruptcy of terrorism, from
whatever end of the spectrum, as an instrument of
political action.
Dan A. Mitrione, Chief Public Safety Advisor of our
AID program of assistance to the Uruguayan police was
doing his job, helping the Uruguayan police to be more
effective in providing service to the public in a modern
and humane manner. Indeed he was trying to help the
police assume their proper role in Uruguayan society.
His assassination at the hands of the subversive Movement
for National Liberation bodes ill for the continued growth
of this society.
It has been suggested by some that this tragedy raises
questions as to whether the United States should be
instead
engaged in this activity. I submit that it provés / how
important it is for us to persevere in this essential task.
LIBRARY
2.
The frequent reference we have heard to "political
prisoners" is totally misleading. The MLN demanded
release of all "political prisoners" held by the Govern-
ment as ransom. It should be noted that these people
are not being held nor were they convicted because of
their political beliefs. They are criminals arrested
for murder, bank robbery, extortion and the like. Con-
stant reference to them otherwise by us all gives an
erroneous impression as to why they are being held by
the Uruguayan Government.
I have seen some reference to this subversive group
that it has a "Robin Hood" image. Dan Mitrione's murder
should dispell any doubt that this group is anything
but a Communist-led gang intent on the overthrow of
the democratically elected Government of President
Pacheco Areco.
I view with equal concern the plight of Mr. Claude
Fly, an American agriculturist in the employee of the
Uruguay Government who is still being held by the
terrorists. I am confident that the Uruguayan government
and particularly the Uruguayan police did all in their
power to obtain the release of Mr. Mitrione. I am
confident that they will continue to be unwavering in
their efforts to effect Mr. Fly's release and that of the
3.
Brazilian Consul, Mr. Aloysio Mares Dias Comide.
I commend the tireless efforts the American
Ambassador, Charles Adair, the many officials in the
Department of State who have worked tirelessly for
the past week in an effort to effect Mitrione's
release, and I especially commend Mr. Byron Engle,
Director of the Office of Public Safety in AID for
the leading role he played in this effort. Expressions
of concern by the Pope and SMX lead us to hope that the
subversives will bend to public opinion and release
the remaining hostages.
M r. Mitrione's body is being flown back tonight
to his home town of Richmond, Indiana for burial and
the tribute of his former neighbors and friends. The
Uruguayan Government will pay its last tribute to him
before the plane leaves tonight bearing his body and
grieving wife and children away from the locale of his
murder. His comrades in the police force there will
have the job of bringing to justice those responsible
for his brutal murder.
This government must do all in its power to assist
Uruguayan
the ********** Government to assure that the assassins
pay the price for their crime and that such crimes are
condemned throughout the world.
4.
The coldblooded murder of Mr. Mitrione shocks us
all and prompts us to renew our prayers for those
still being held.