By Senators French, Erwin, Dixon, Byrne, Waggoner, Biddle, Dial, Butler, Barron, Smith, and Marsh
ENROLLED, SJR13,
SUPPORTING GOVERNOR RILEY'S CALL FOR A BOYCOTT OF TRAVEL TO ARUBA.
WHEREAS, on May 30, 2005, Natalee Holloway, an 18-year-old Alabama citizen, disappeared on the island of Aruba; and
WHEREAS, for many months now the citizens of Alabama have been both saddened by Natalee's disappearance and inspired by her family and their resolve to find the truth and find their daughter; and
WHEREAS, as the months passed, it became increasingly clear that Aruba's investigation of Natalee's disappearance has been plagued with an unacceptable amount of missteps, miscommunications, and inconsistencies, as numerous suspects have been detained, but then released, without the benefit of gaining any new information that has helped find our missing fellow American; and
WHEREAS, Governor Riley has recognized with appreciation the efforts of many private citizens of Aruba for their assistance in the search for Natalee; however, on November 17, 2005, after careful consideration of the official actions of the government of Aruba, Governor Riley, joined by Natalee's family, urged all Americans to avoid travel to Aruba; and
WHEREAS, subsequently, on November 22, 2005, Governor Riley also asked other Governors to urge their citizens to avoid travel to Aruba in hopes that a boycott would cause the Aruban people to demand that their public officials conduct the investigation of Natalee's disappearance in a more careful, thorough, and appropriate manner; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Legislature heartily supports Governor Riley in this difficult but well-founded decision to urge a boycott of travel to Aruba.
BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Legislature provide a copy of this resolution to Governor Riley as a show of its support of his actions.