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Congressman Sam Graves - Representing the People of Missouri's Sixth District
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Straight Talk with Sam
Volume 9, Issue 20, May 18, 2009
 
Straight Talk With Sam
Keep Terrorists in Cuba
 
 
The United States’ economy is the largest in the world. We are a large exporter of some goods like agriculture and a large importer of other products like petroleum. Nations import those products and goods they need, not products and goods that others do not want. That is why I oppose importing terrorists to our shores from Guantanamo Bay.
 
Since 2001, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been home to a military prison for enemy combatants of the United States. It is heavily fortified, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and over a hundred miles from the United States’ shore. However, the administration would now like to close that facility and possibly bring those held there onto U.S. soil.
 
I think that is a bad idea. The prison holds some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists from across the globe. They have threatened Americans, and in some instances, they have killed Americans. Having terrorists held so close to Americans would pose a significant risk if they were to escape or if the prison were to become a target for other terrorists.
 
I have signed onto H.R. 2294, the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act. I am confident our military can safeguard these terrorists in America if given the order. However, Guantanamo Bay is the best place for those terrorists, and I see no reason to move them from that facility.
 
Terrorists’ intent on harming the United States and our allies should not be imported into American communities by our own government. 
 
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Washington, D.C. Office
1415 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-7041
Fax: (202) 225-8221
Liberty District Office
113 Blue Jay Drive
Suite 100
Liberty, Missouri 64068
Phone: (816) 792-3976
Fax: (816) 792-0694
St. Joseph District Office
201 S. 8th Street
Room 330
St. Joseph, Missouri 64501
Phone: (816) 233-9818
Fax: (816) 233-9848