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Senate Passes Smith Legislation Honoring James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix

December 13, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Adam Smith’s (WA-09) legislation designating the post office at 4301 NE 4th Street in Renton, Washington as the James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix Post Office passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent following its previous passage in the House of Representatives. The legislation was supported by both Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), as well as each member of the Washington State Delegation in the House. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature.

“I am honored to join in paying tribute to rock and roll icon and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix with the renaming of the Renton Highlands Post Office as the James Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix Post Office Building. This designation will further celebrate Hendrix’s deep connection to the Puget Sound region and help ensure that his creative legacy will be remembered by our community and inspire future generations.” said Congressman Adam Smith.

“Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential American artists of all time. This Seattle native son, is truly one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. In honor of his memory and service to our country, it is truly fitting that we move forward in naming the United States Postal Service located at 4301 Northeast 4th Street in Renton, Washington, as the James Marshall ‘Jimi’ Hendrix Post Office Building. The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle strongly supports this effort and applauds Congress for reminding those that patron this facility that his legacy lives on and his memory is etched in the fabric of our country and community,” said Michelle Merriweather, the President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.

“The Northwest African American Museum fully supports the renaming of a local post office to bear the name of Seattle's most recognizable native son, Jimi Hendrix.  His legendary artistic genius chartered new territory within world music.  While his reach was international in scope, his roots trace back to Seattle and we are proud to richly celebrate his legacy as part of his hometown community. This bill, led by U.S. Congressman Adam Smith, will provide a fitting tribute to a Seattle-born global icon whose humility, generosity, musical giftedness, and timeless brilliance will inspire for generations to come,” said LaNesha DeBardelaben, the Director of Northwest African American Museum.

Smith Statement on the Farm Bill Conference Report Passage

December 12, 2018

“Today, I voted in support of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, legislation that is also commonly known as the Farm Bill. This legislation provides critical nutrition assistance to individuals and families who rely on help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Washington’s Basic Food Employment and Training Program (BFET). Seniors, low-income families, children, veterans, and those with disabilities participate in these programs to help ensure they stay healthy and have access to food. Local food banks across Washington state count on the availability of these benefits to service communities in need.

“I am also pleased that the Conference Report did not include dangerous environmental provisions and harmful changes to SNAP. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our farm policy supports nutritional assistance for those that are food-insecure, and that farming is done sustainably with minimal harm to the environment. This bill makes meaningful investments in nutrition programs and avoids disastrous cuts to environmental programs that would have taken our farm policy backwards.”

Smith Statement on Extended Border Deployment

December 7, 2018

“I continue to strongly question the deployment of U.S. military servicemembers at our southern border. Furthermore, the decision to extend this deployment to the end of January 2019 is not a responsible use of Department of Defense resources and is the completely wrong approach to the situation. To date, there has not been adequate justification for the use of our military personnel in this way, which is why I have questioned this decision from the beginning.

“The President’s dangerous rhetoric referring to people seeking asylum as an ‘invasion’ deeply misrepresents the situation and needlessly ramps up tension. There is no question that we face a challenge with a rise in the number of people seeking asylum. However, the response should not be deploying troops to our border, but instead increasing resources to process asylum applications, including additional judges and asylum officers.

“Additionally, the continued practice of detaining asylum seekers is inhumane and the cost is overwhelming. It’s abhorrent that there are over 40,000 people in custody in detention centers across the U.S. when we know alternatives to detention are proven to be effective at ensuring compliance with immigration proceedings, and drastically less costly than detention.

“Directing military servicemembers to ‘harden the border’ and provide vague support to Customs and Border Protection misses the point entirely. These people are fleeing violence and persecution to seek asylum. They are turning themselves in, not circumventing our laws. This continued expansion of the use of Department of Defense resources and personnel to fulfill the misguided immigration agenda of this administration, which is not part of the mission of the Department of Defense, must come to an end.”

Smith Statement on Trump INF Treaty Decision

December 4, 2018

Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement about the Trump administration’s decision to declare Russia in material breach of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty without meaningfully consulting U.S. allies and partners, and its declaration of intent to begin withdrawing from the accord in 60 days:

“The Trump administration is unilaterally taking action on the INF Treaty without meaningful consultation and coordination with our NATO allies. Setting us on a precipitous course toward withdrawal from this treaty undermines the NATO alliance and transatlantic security, while playing directly into President Putin’s plans to divide us. It is no secret that some of President Trump’s advisers are more focused on promoting U.S. withdrawal from its international commitments than prioritizing the collective security of America and its partners and allies. The Trump administration should instead work with our allies to take meaningful actions to hold Russia accountable for its violation of the treaty, press Russia back into compliance, and avoid a new arms race.”

Smith, Murray, Cantwell and Jayapal Call for Answers and Transparency in Death of Asylum Seeker at Northwest Detention Center

November 29, 2018

Smith, Murray, Cantwell and Jayapal Call for Answers and Transparency in Death of Asylum Seeker at Northwest Detention Center

Washington, DC – This week, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) led a letter with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demanding answers surrounding the recent death of Mergensana Amar, a Russian asylum seeker detained in the custody of ICE at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. In the letter, the lawmakers call for transparency and a thorough understanding of the circumstances and actions taken leading up to Mr. Amar’s death.

The Members write in part, “The federal government has a solemn duty to care for and protect those within its custody, including individuals detained by ICE… We request that you provide information to our offices regarding the circumstances surrounding the treatment and care for Mr. Amar, and what improvements you will make to avoid other similar tragedies in the future.”

The full text of the letter can be found below and here.

Acting Director Ronald D. Vitiello

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Department of Homeland Security

500 12th Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20536

 

Dear Acting Director Vitiello: 

 

We are deeply saddened by the recent death of Mergensana Amar, a Russian asylum seeker detained in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington.

 

The federal government has a solemn duty to care for and protect those within its custody, including individuals detained by ICE. News of Mr. Amar’s death follows a report condemning conditions in ICE’s Adelanto Detention Center in California.[1] The report recounts nooses found hanging in cells, lack of adequate mental health services, and access to medical care at the facility.[2] In light of this report, we are particularly alarmed by tragic news of Mr. Amar’s suicide, and are concerned with ICE practice and protocol for preventing such deaths moving forward.

 

We request that you provide information to our offices regarding the circumstances surrounding the treatment and care for Mr. Amar, and what improvements you will make to avoid other similar tragedies in the future. Please provide the following information and answers to questions by Tuesday December 11, 2018:

  • A copy of any detainee death reviews and reports related to Mr. Amar.
  • A detailed timeline of where Mr. Amar was located within the Northwest Detention Center (segregation/solitary confinement, general population, health unit, or elsewhere), and rationale for each instance in which he was moved.
  • A copy of any review of Mr. Amar’s placement in segregation, as required by the September 2013 ICE Segregation Memo.
  • A detailed timeline of exactly what medical services were provided, when they were provided, and the results of any medical evaluations.
  • A copy of the court order ICE obtained for involuntary hydration as well as any records that indicate how ICE used this order.
  • ICE stated that Mr. Amar “remained in good physical health prior to this incident” – by what measures was he determined to be in good physical health? Who determined that he was in good physical health?
  • Did ICE conduct mental health checks? How often, by whom, and in what manner?
  • At any point in time, did anyone question whether Mr. Amar was a threat to his own safety? If so, at what point was this determined by ICE and what was the rationale? If a determination was made that he was a threat to his own safety, what actions were taken and procedures followed to prevent Mr. Amar from harming himself?
  • While he was on hunger strike, was Mr. Amar threatened with force feeding? Was Mr. Amar denied privileges, such as access to the law library, telephone, television, or other privileges while he was on hunger strike?
  • Based on your death review findings related to Mr. Amar, what changes, improvements to policy and protocol, and best practices will you implement to ensure the health and safety of detainees, and to prevent similar health related tragedies from occurring again.

 

It is imperative that there be transparency and a thorough understanding of the circumstances and actions taken leading up to Mr. Amar’s death. We look forward to hearing from you promptly.

 

Sincerely,

 

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