AJR 63, Richman. Extradition.
This measure would memorialize the Executive Branch of
the Federal Government to ensure that the federal government addresses
Mexico’s refusal to extradite to the United States criminals facing life
sentences.
WHEREAS, The Mexican Supreme Court ruled in October 2001
that Mexico will not extradite criminals who face life sentences in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, The United States Constitution prohibits states
from entering into treaties with foreign governments to protect their
citizens and arrange extradition for criminals; and WHEREAS, The person
or persons responsible for the April 29, 2002, murder of Los Angeles
County Sheriff Deputy David March is believed to have fled to Mexico to
avoid prosecution; and
WHEREAS, California and other states must rely upon the
federal government to resolve this issue of national importance; and
WHEREAS, The Attorney General from each of the 50 states
has asked United States Attorney General John Ashcroft and United States
Secretary of State Colin Powell to address this extradition issue with
their counterparts in Mexico; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Assembly and Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the extradition from Mexico of all
criminals who face life sentences is a matter of urgent and enduring
importance to the State of California; and be it further
Resolved, That California’s Senators and Members
of the House of Representatives should take all prudent and necessary
steps to ensure that this matter is addressed at the highest levels of
our federal government; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly
transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United
States, the United States
Attorney General, the United States Secretary of State,
and to each member of the Congress of the United States.