Washington - Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today reacted to a decision by the Brazilian Supreme Court judge that suspended a lower court order that would have reunited 9-year-old Sean Goldman with his father, David Goldman, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Sean and his father were scheduled to be reunited in Brazil today.

"Justice has been delayed for the Goldman family too long already," Sen. Lautenberg said. "Just when it appeared that the agonizing wait would finally be over, yet another hurdle was put in the way. This case deserves prompt resolution and we will continue our work until David Goldman and his son are reunited."

Senator Menendez said: "This is a heartbreaking development and an injustice. No one is hurting more than David Goldman, and my thoughts are with him as he fights for his son in Brazil. David should know that those of us who have taken action to help his cause will not cease our advocacy - we will continue to express to the Brazilian authorities the importance of adhering to the Hague Conventions and allowing David to regain his rightful custody of Sean. At the heart of this case is family, and this New Jersey family deserves to be reunited."

Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez have fought for months to reunite Sean with his father. Sens. Lautenberg, Menendez and Russ Feingold (D-WI) were the prime authors of a Senate Resolution that passed in March calling for Sean Goldman's return to the U.S. In February, Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calling on him to follow international law and assist in the return of Sean Goldman to his father. In January, Sen. Lautenberg met with David Goldman and U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Clifford Sobel, in separate meetings about the abduction case. Lautenberg also personally urged Brazilian Ambassador to the U.S., Antonio Patriota, to press his government to follow international law and return the boy.

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