2008-26772 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2008-26772
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
PETITION SPONSORED BY THE CUBAN AMERICAN
VETERANS ASSOCIATION, INC. URGING THAT THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONVENE A GRAND JURY TO
INVESTIGATE THE ACTIONS OF THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT
WITH REGARD TO THE BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE
SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION ON FEBRUARY 24, 1996.
WHEREAS, on February 24, 1996, two unarmed U.S. licensed civilian aircraft flying in
a humanitarian search and rescue mission in the Florida Straits were shot down by two Cuban
Air Force war planes, causing the death of Vietnam Veteran Armando Alejandre Jr., Corporal
United States Marine Corps; U.S. citizens Mario de la Pena and Carlos Costa, and U.S. resident
Pablo Morales; and
WHEREAS, the planes were shot down without prior warning or adherence to the
protocol established by international laws with regard to civilian unarmed planes; and
WHEREAS, consequent investigations and statements by eyewitnesses clearly
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 have
condemned these acts of terrorism by the government of Cuba; and
WHEREAS, in spite of overwhelming evidence against the Cuban regime, including the
public admission made by both Fidel and Raul Castro admitting direct responsibility for these
premeditated criminal acts, no action has been initiated by previous or current U.S.
administrations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby support the petition of the Cuban American Veterans Association, Inc.
urging the U.S. Department of Justice to convene a grand jury to investigate the actions of the
Cuban government and that all necessary legal steps be taken for due process to prevail.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of February , 2008.
ATTEST:
MAY R Matt H. Bower
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ROBERT PARCHER, CITY CLERK ~ '~ & ~~~~+~~
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m MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager
FROM: Matti H. Bower, Mayo /~~~~~
DATE: January 31, 2008
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PETITION SPONSORED BY THE
CUBAN AMERICAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Please place the attached Resolution on the February 13, 2008 City Commission Meeting
agenda.
Agenda Item ~ 9 C
Date ~ -/3-~8