WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Peters introduced a Congressional Resolution that supports increased diplomatic efforts to secure the freedom of Army Sergeant Bowe Robert Bergdahl. In addition, he sent a letter late yesterday to President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry formally requesting a review of the efforts. Bergdahl is currently the only known American Prisoner of War, and June 30 marked his fourth year of captivity in Afghanistan.
“Veterans in San Diego and across the country are thinking about Sergeant Bergdahl and his family, and they asked me to make sure he is not forgotten. That is the purpose of this resolution,” Congressman Peters said. “This is a complex situation, but I will monitor it closely and will push the administration to keep it as a priority. Given what Sergeant Bergdahl and his family have sacrificed, they deserve our time and attention.”
Army Sergeant Bowe Robert Bergdahl was serving in the mountainous region of southeastern Afghanistan when he was taken captive on June 30, 2009 by members of the Haqqani network, a militant group allied with the Taliban. Since then, the Taliban has released several propaganda videos showing Sergeant Bergdahl in captivity. Reports state that the Taliban has demanded a monetary ransom as well as the release of Afghan and Pakistani prisoners in exchange for his release.
Full text of the Congressional Resolution as introduced by Congressman Peters today can be read here.
Full text of the letter sent to President Obama and Secretary Kerry can be read here.
Local television coverage of the press conference held last week with Rep. Peters, Former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, and local veteran leaders can be seen here (Fox 5) or here (KUSI).
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