PRESS RELEASE VIDEO – Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean

Press Release – 11/21/07

On this, the eve of Thanksgiving, we had a great turnout at our press conference outside of the Federal prison North of Phoenix, where border patrol agent Ignacio Ramos is being held in soliitary confinement. Local and national television, radio and print media where there. Below is my statement to the press and that of Congressman Duncan Hunter. Congressman Franks also spoke eloquently. Monica Ramos, wife of Ignacio Ramos, joined us after visiting with her husband inside the prison. She sends her thanks for your concern. See below how you can help!

November 21, 2007
Statement by Sydney Hay regarding Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean delivered at the Federal Correctional Institution in Phoenix, Arizona

Border security is national security. Our border patrol agents are heroic in this fight to keep our nation secure from the very real threat of terrorism. They are heroic in the fight against human smuggling and drug smuggling. They are our front line of defense in the war on terror and the war on drugs. Recently, the Democrats in Congress stripped the funding that would have increased the number of full-time border patrol agents to 23,000.
No wonder Americans have lost faith in their government’s ability to secure our border.
And, considering the grave injustice that has befallen two border patrol agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, is it any wonder that recruiting of border patrol agents has become difficult?
Today on the eve of Thanksgiving, we count our blessings. None is greater than being able to gather with family and friends tomorrow around the Thanksgiving table. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean will not be at that table with family. Ignacio Ramos will be here behind me – in solitary confinement.
The drug dealer whose testimony sent this man to prison is finally being prosecuted for smuggling a load of narcotics into the US after he had been given immunity by the US attorney but before he testified against Ramos and Compean. The fact that the jury was not told that the prosecution’s star witness had just been apprehended with another 700 plus pounds of narcotics is an outrage. Just prior to holding up his hand and saying “trust me, I am going to tell you the truth”, he committed another felony and brought more drugs illegally into this country.
This information was withheld from the jury – who, if they had known, would have had major doubts when this man swore that he was unarmed – testimony that sent these two men to prison for a length of sentence that defies reason. There are murderers and rapists that have seen less time behind bars than these men will serve if something is not done.
This strikes at the very heart of our judicial system. Here in America you have a Constitutional right to confront your accuser, to cross examine him, to bring out any fact that might have bearing on his credibility. Nothing is more effective in discrediting a witness than a felony indictment.
This case cries out for a Presidential pardon. The President has pardoned the Thanksgiving turkey and we all had fun with that light-hearted tradition. But a greater tradition in this country is justice. Ramos and Compean have been denied justice.
Ignacio Ramos is in prison here in Arizona. It is up to us Arizonans to let him know we will not leave him forgotten behind these concrete walls and barbed-wire fences. We must act. I’m asking every Arizonan to add Ignacio Ramos to your Christmas card list, and when you send him your card letting him know that your thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, send another card or an email or a fax or a phone call to the White House and urge President Bush to do the right thing. He pardoned Scooter Libby because the 30 month sentence was too harsh. Surely, a sentence of over 10 years for doing one’s job to protect our national security rises far above that level.

The address to send your Christmas card:

Ignacio Ramos 58079180
37901 N. 45th Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona 85046

Congressman Duncan Hunter has sponsored H.R. 563, the Congressional Pardon for Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean Act. He has been the foremost Congressional leader on this issue. Congressman Franks who joins us today is a co-sponsor of the legislation. Congressional pardon legislation has never been done before. Some say it cannot be done. It is worth trying. It will keep the light of day shining on this travesty. It may compel the President to act. If President Bush does not do the right thing before his term ends, Duncan Hunter, who is not running for reelection, knows of my commitment to this cause and has asked that I take up the mantle if elected to Congress. I have agreed. I pledge to you that as a member of Congress, I will not rest until these men are released from prison.

Statement by Congressman Duncan Hunter

Understanding the miscarriage of justice that has been perpetuated against these agents, Ramos and Compean, I have introduced H.R. 563, legislation granting a congressional pardon to the agents. While this has never been tried before, legal advisors have stipulated that it has never been adjudicated and that there are some indications that such an action would be valid. Regardless, since the agents remain in jail, I believe it is appropriate to try this course of action. Over 100 of my House colleagues agree and have cosponsored the legislation.
In addition, I have sent a letter to the President to reevaluate his previous position and immediately pardon the agents at this time of Thanksgiving.
I want to thank Sydney Hay for organizing this press conference today and for what she is doing to organize Arizonans to both reach out to the Ramos family during the Holidays and to contact the White House in support of a pardon. In addition, knowing of her strong commitment to righting this wrong, I have asked that when she is elected to Congress, she take up the mantle of leadership on the Congressional pardon issue. I know Sydney Hay to be a fighter. She will not give up the fight for justice for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Press Release – 11/20/07 – Help for Ramos and Compean

The following is a press release that was sent out to the media from my campaign today. I wanted you to see it. Tomorrow, joined by the wife of Border Patrol Agent Ignacio Ramos, I will speak to the press regarding efforts to secure a pardon for Ramos and Compean. I believe that a gross miscarriage of justice has happened and while we are preparing to share Thanksgiving with our families, these two families suffer. Since Ignacio Ramos is jailed here in Arizona, we have a responsibility to let him know that we care and he will not be forgotten during the Holidays. President Bush has pardoned the White House turkeys and we all enjoyed the light-hearted moment, but there are two men deserving of a Presidential pardon this Thanksgiving. I will let you know of the plan that we lay out tomorrow.News flash: I just learned that Congressman Franks will be joining me at the press conference.

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *

November 20, 2007, Munds Park, Arizona, One of Arizona’s strongest conservative voices is speaking out. Sydney Hay, will hold a press conference to call for action on what she refers to as a “grave injustice”

At a press conference at 3:00 PM (MST) Wednesday November 21st, at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) North of Phoenix, Hay, joined by Monica Ramos, wife of Ignacio Ramos, who is currently serving his prison term in solitary confinement at FCI Phoenix, will continue the fight to help Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, both wrongfully imprisoned in spite of questionable circumstances surrounding their prosecution. Hay, a Republican candidate for Congress from Arizona’s 1st District, will unveil her plan that will mobilize Arizona and urge all Americans to pressure President Bush to pardon the agents.

FCI Phoenix is located approximately 25 miles north of downtown Phoenix, off Interstate 17 (Black Canyon Freeway) west of the Pioneer Road Exit (Exit 225).

Fueled by the implications of the news that the drug smuggler in the case, Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, was arrested last Thursday at a U.S. Port of entry for alleged drug offenses, Hay joins top conservatives led by Presidential Candidate Congressman Duncan Hunter in an appeal to the President to pardon the two Border Patrol agents this Thanksgiving.

Congressman Hunter has asked Hay, his former Campaign Manager in his bid for the Presidency, to deliver his additional comments regarding the appeal.

Monica Ramos has stated she will attempt to deliver a “surprise” just prior to the start of the conference.

(((For additional information or comments, contact Roy Tyler, Media Communications)))Cell (928) 941-1079 or Email rttexan@qwest.net