Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Brad Wenstrup (OH-2) and Steve Chabot (OH-01) introduced a resolution to honor and celebrate the life of Cincinnati native Otto Warmbier, who was wrongfully imprisoned and tortured by the brutal North Korean regime, resulting in his tragic death on June 19, 2017. The resolution also condemns North Korea’s continued human rights violations and calls for the sanctions enacted by the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions and Enforcement Act of 2019 to remain in effect until North Korea suspends its nuclear weapons program. The resolution is the companion resolution to S.Res. 623, introduced by Ohio Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown.

“It has been three years since our community lost a cherished son, brother, and friend, and my heart remains broken for Fred and Cindy Warmbier and their family. We must continue to honor Otto’s legacy by championing human rights and holding North Korea’s brutal dictatorial regime accountable for its actions,”  said Congressman Wenstrup. “Otto is not forgotten, and we will not stop fighting for justice on his behalf.”

“Three years ago, our community and our nation suffered a tremendous loss with the tragic death of Otto Warmbier, a young man with great potential and a bright future,”  said Congressman Chabot. "Donna and I continue to pray for Otto, his parents Fred and Cindy, and all of his family, friends and loved ones.  As we commemorate the somber anniversary of Otto’s passing, we should honor his memory by renewing our commitment to hold the brutal Kim regime accountable for its continued cowardly acts of senseless violence and cruelty.  That effort starts with ensuring that tough sanctions remain in place until North Korea rejoins the civilized world by surrendering its nuclear weapons program and ceasing its flagrant disregard for basic human rights.”

You can read the full text of the resolution here.