Congressman Fleming Statement On Anniversary Of September 11th Terrorist Attacks

Statement

Congressman Fleming Statement On Anniversary Of September 11th Terrorist Attacks

Congressman John Fleming issued the following statement today regarding the 8th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.

“On September 11, 2009, we commemorate the 8th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11/2001. On that fateful day, nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on United Airlines Flight 93. In the aftermath of that terrible day, the United States resolved it would go to any length to capture or kill the terrorists who attacked us. In October 2001, our armed forces were called into action to support that goal. Since then, they have remained steadfastly on the front lines of the fight against terrorism. As a former U.S. Navy physician and Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have a deep personal appreciation for the sacrifices our active and retired service members have made on behalf of our nation. We will forever be in their debt. I take my responsibility of serving their interests here in Congress seriously, and will continue working to ensure they have the tools and resources necessary to achieve their missions.

While the diligence of our military, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies has prevented another major terrorist attack on the U.S. homeland, our country still faces serious challenges. While the battle against Islamic extremists wages on in Afghanistan, here at home, there is a fight about what should be done with suspected terrorists and enemy combatants at Guantanamo. I believe they should not be allowed access to U.S. courts, which exist to protect the rights of American citizens. Moving detainees into American cities would undermine U.S. national security by presenting a tempting target to other terrorists who remain committed to attacking our nation.

For those reasons, I was proud to become an original cosponsor of H.R. 2294, the “Keep Terrorists Out of America Act.” If enacted, this bill would prohibit any transfer or release of terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States. It would be a great insult and detriment to our active duty soldiers and their families if we were to move the Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that captured terrorists do not end up in the U.S. or back on the battlefield fighting U.S. troops.”

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