Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Statement

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

"The State of Arizona is grateful for President Obama's and Secretary Napolitano's action and acknowledgment of the increased threat of cartel violence and kidnappings.

"My recent request to the federal government to increase National Guard support of Customs/Border Patrol primary mission at the US‐Mexico border could substantially augment the Obama Administration's important initiative to improve security. And while shifting and redeploying current and existing resources is a good first step, it is more important that Border States, local law enforcement, and tribal law enforcement receive a surge in additional federal funding and additional resources to respond to the clearly increased
threat of violence and kidnappings. I am also hopeful that as today's resource shift is implemented, that additional measures are undertaken to ensure that areas losing current officers or funding are not stretched
too thin. We look forward to receiving additional details of the federal plan as they become available, and we are grateful to Secretary Napolitano and her staff for their willingness to provide additional briefings and
coordination.

"As Governor of the State of Arizona, I have no higher priority than the safety and security of our citizens, and I am certain that President Obama, Secretary Gates, and Secretary Napolitano (as a former border governor) share that priority."

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