The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“FREEMEN PROSECUTION AWARD” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S8401-S8402 on July 13, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FREEMEN PROSECUTION AWARD
Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I am pleased to come to the floor to honor a Department of Justice team that is receiving the top prosecution award today at Constitution Hall. This team of 12 prosecutors and investigators was faced with the challenging task of bringing LeRoy Schweitzer, Richard Clark, Daniel Petersen, Rodney Skurdal, Dale Jacobi, Russell Landers, and others, known as the
``Freemen,'' to justice.
As you may remember, the Montana Freemen were a group of individuals who refused to recognize any authority by U.S. officials. Instead, they created their own ``republic'' and court system. After warrants were prepared for multiple counts of fraud, armed robbery, and firearms violations, they holed up on their ranch for 81 days in a tense standoff. The team recognized today were critical in preparing the warrants, negotiating the peaceful resolution of the standoff, and convicting twenty-one members of the group. In addition, this team worked with many other prosecution teams to prepare and present related cases in over thirty federal districts.
It makes me especially proud that there were seven Montanans among the group being recognized. They are Assistant U.S. Attorney James Seykora, Paralegal Specialist Deborah Boyle, IRS Special Agents Michael Mayott and Loretta Rodriquez, FBI Senior Resident Agent Daniel Vierthaler, FBI Special Agent Randall Jackson, and Montana Department of Justice Agent Bryan Costigan. I also appreciate the contribution of Robertson Park, George Toscas, David Kris, Tommie Canady, and Timothy Healy as award winners contributing from agencies outside of the state. I also think it's only appropriate to recognize the investigation and prosecution leader, Montana U.S. Attorney Sherry Matteucci. Although this entire prosecution effort fell under her responsibility, as a political appointee, she is not eligible for this award.
The Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service is given once each year, with the decision based upon the following: performance of a special service in the public interest that is over and above the normal requirements and of an outstanding and distinctive character in terms of improved operations, public understanding of the department's mission, or accomplishment of one of the major goals of the department, exceptionally outstanding contributions to the Department of Justice or exceptionally outstanding leadership in the administration of major programs that resulted in highly successful accomplishments to meet unique or emergency situations, or extraordinary courage and voluntary risk of life in performing an act resulting in direct benefits to the department or nation. From where I sit, this team has met or exceeded all of these high standards during the course of the investigation. Few other prosecutions have received the external scrutiny in the press, Justice management, and the public eye as did the Freemen prosecution. A terrific amount of juggling priorities and concerns was necessary to pull off a peaceful resolution of this crisis. Their conviction record on this case was solid, and will likely be the model from any similar situations in the future.
So, it gives me great pleasure to bring our attention to this team's success, and I add my thanks for a job well done. We wish them nothing but continued success as they move on to other jobs within their home agencies. Again, congratulations on this great, well-deserved honor.
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