FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5:48 AM
Survivor Organization Contacts House Ethics Committee
A MATTER OF TRUTH
October 24, 2006
401 Engamore Lane, Apt. 206
Norwood, MA 02062-2556
The Honorable Howard L. Berman, Ranking Minority Member
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
2221 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Sir:
While the House Ethics Committee has dealt with its share
of scandals in the past, the behavior of former Rep. Mark
Foley and those congressmen who protected him will go down
in history as one of the most deplorable. Men have placed
their own reputations, selfish ambitions, and
self-indulgences over the safety of the country’s children.
The evidence that has been in front of you can no longer be
ignored.
Abused children of the United States of America have once
again been pushed aside and ignored. While some of your
fellow members are testifying to whom, what and when,
another member, two heart beats away from the Presidency,
apparently cannot remember if one, two, or three
conversations have taken place regarding child abuse. It
appears that to powerful men in Washington, DC, victims of
childhood abuse are not even an afterthought.
For some officials, their power, the power of their office,
and the power of the institution they represent have been
used deceptively in the care of children entrusted to them
by their parents.
These men and women have taken oaths of office to serve all
citizens whether they are of voting age or not.
Congress can no longer turn a deaf ear or blind eye to the
hundreds of thousands of survivors of sexual abuse by
religious in this country: You and your fellow members have
been asked repeatedly for help. There are mountains of
public and secret files, and you have been given ample
evidence of their existence.
Nearly a year ago, on October 27, 2005, a formal request
for hearings on the “exploitation and abuse” of children by
religious was submitted to the Republican-led House
Committee on Government Reform by our Rep. Stephen F. Lynch
(D) MA-09. (Hearing Request). The request was not
even given the courtesy of a response by Rep. Tom Davis
(R), VA-11, nor anyone from his staff.
No matter how you look at it, the House finds itself
embroiled in this disgrace because Fr. Mercieca sexually
abused Congressman Foley when he was a teen-aged boy. It is
clear that the sexual abuse of children by religious may
have unforeseen consequences for a child, a family, a
village, and an entire country.
The religious sexual abuse scandal has now reached the
floor of the House and it will not go away until
congressmen put aside their personal and political
ambitions for the sake of our children and our future
generations.
No doubt the subcommittee has its hands full, but we at “A
Matter of Truth” would like to make some recommendations to
help you and Congress find a way out of your sordid
scandal:
Hold hearings on clergy child abuse now. Hold hearings on
clergy child abuse now.
It is time for the American public to learn the whole truth
about the sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults by
religious in this country. Please focus your attention on
the criminal’s behavior and those who aid, abet, and
shelter him or her, not on their particular and personal
religious beliefs. Survivors need your help and children
need your protection.
The clergy child abuse scandal is not going away and we are
adamant that our country receives honest, complete answers.
“A nationwide problem deserves a nationwide solution.”
Sincerely yours,
Robert F. Costello, President, A Matter Of Truth
Tel. # 781-769-3477
RFCostello@verizon.net
John W. Harris, Jr., National Director, A Matter Of Truth
Tel. # 781-551-8048
JWHarris57@aol.com
cc. PRESS RELEASE;
cc. Reps. Doc Hastings, Judy Biggert, Stephanie Tubbs
Jones, Lamar Smith, Gene Green, Melissa Hart, Lucille
Roybal-Allard, Tim Cole, & Michael F. Doyle of the
Committee On
Standards and Official Conduct.