SAN JOSE, CA – U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, introduced H.R. 8716, the Justice for the Living Victims of Lockerbie Act, to help 50 senior American pilots and their families receive long-overdue justice and compensation.
These pilots, including 18 Californians, suffered economic injuries as a result of the state-sponsored act of terrorism committed by Libya in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, but were not included in prior settlements, leaving them with no recourse but a legislative remedy.
“While some justice has been served since the awful Lockerbie terrorist attack, there are still Americans who are suffering without relief. I am introducing the House version of the Justice for the Living Victims of Lockerbie Act to help make whole the 50 senior pilots, many of whom are veterans, and their families,” said Lofgren. “These pilots have exhausted non-legislative avenues, so now it’s time for Congress to act and allow these aviators who were directly impacted by state-sponsored terrorism to access remaining funds from the U.S.-Libya Humanitarian Settlement Agreement.”
Click here for full text of the Justice for the Living Victims of Lockerbie Act.
A companion bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
Background
On December 21, 1988, the State of Libya bombed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 innocent civilians. In addition to the families of the victims, there were 50 senior Pan Am pilots and military veterans who were uniquely impacted by this bombing. These aviators lost their pensions, healthcare, savings, and livelihoods when Pan Am filed for bankruptcy in 1991 as a direct result of the state-sponsored act of terror.
In 2008, the U.S. entered into the U.S.-Libya Humanitarian Settlement Agreement, in which Libya paid $1.5 billion to settle claims by U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, the claims of the pilots were not addressed when the funds were allocated post-Settlement Agreement. Legislation is needed to allow the pilots to access the $20 million in Libyan (non-taxpayer) relief funds that remain.
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