Text: Congressman Lee Hamilton's letter to President Obama

Justice4JPnews - March 1, 2011

Click here to view the original copy of this letter (PDF).

February 25, 2011

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I join many other distinguished Americans to request that you exercise your power of clemency and commute Jonathan Pollard's prison sentence to time served.

I do not underestimate the gravity of Mr. Pollard's 'crime, but I do believe that he has served a disproportionately severe sentence and that he should be promptly released. He has already spent over 25 years in prison, several of which were spent in solitary confinement.

I have been acquainted for many years with members of his family, especially his parents, and I know how much pain and anguish they have suffered because of their son's incarceration. The mother is now deceased, but the father lives. He deserves to see their son freed.

My support of clemency for Jonathan Pollard extends back many years. I hope you will act promptly on the requests you have received. Commuting his sentence is a matter of basic compassion and justice.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

With warm personal regards,

Lee H. Hamilton