News from Lori's Parents

21 July 2001

In this update:

Congressional letters to Perú urge Lori's release

In but one week that the letter circulated following the July 4th week recess, 141 members of the House of Representatives signed the letter to the Peruvian government sponsored by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) urging Lori's immediate release. The cosponsors of the letter were Representatives Jim Leach (R-IA), Connie Morella (R-MD), and Maxine Waters (D-CA). Congressmen Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY) and Joe Scarborough (R-FL) helped gather Republican support. The list of signatures will appear on the web site after we receive the official record. In addition to these 141 signers, Congressmen Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Barney Frank (D-MA) wrote their own letters to the Peruvian government urging Lori s release.

In the Senate there was no time to circulate a letter but New York Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer sent a letter to Perú urging Lori's immediate release on humanitarian grounds.

We want to thank the members of the House and Senate for their continued support and to all of you who contacted your Representatives to sign on to the House letter.

Representative Maloney addresses Congress

Speaking on the floor of Congress on July 19, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) reminded the members of Lori's wrongful imprisonment. She concluded: In his recent meeting with President-elect Alejandro Toledo, President Bush said that humanitarian factors should be taken into account in the final resolution of Lori's case. President Bush's conversation with Mr. Toledo sent a very important message to Perú the United States will not forget Lori Berenson. We [Congress] should send Perú another message If she's not released, the Congress should take appropriate measures.

General Assembly of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) call for Lori's release

On July 17, the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada passed a resolution at its meeting in Kansas City calling for Lori's release Approximately 3,000 people expressed their support at this meeting and the General Synod of the United Church of Christ was in the same hall and applauded the action.

Our thanks go out to Mr. Robert Friedly, representing the Eastgate Christian Church -- Indianapolis, for introducing this resolution and to the Rev. Dr. William J. Nottingham for speaking in favor of its adoption. Rev. Dr. Nottingham has made two trips to Peru to visit with Lori and was with us last month on the day of her sentencing.

Mark Berenson speaks at Chautaugua Institution

On July 17, Mark presented an update on Lori, addressing 376 guests at the famous Chautauqua Institution near Buffalo, NY. The event was sponsored by the Peace and Justice Society. He also appeared on a local radio program. Thanks go to Zel Lurie, Deb and Ted First, and Linda Hagner for this happening.

- Rhoda and Mark Berenson