Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2009

CONTACT: Leslie Shedd
(202) 225-5565

INHOFE-BOREN–FALLIN–COLE –SULLIVAN-LUCAS SAY NO TO TERRORISTS COMING TO OKLAHOMA

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a Senior Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and Rep John Sullivan (R-Okla.) joined together today in a united front to express outrage at President Obama’s decision to shut down Guantanamo Bay, possibly leading to terrorists coming to Oklahoma.
 
Senator Inhofe: “President Obama’s decision to shut down Guantanamo Bay could have a devastating impact on our national security and is simply unacceptable.  Through my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will lead the fight in the Senate to prevent these terrorists from coming to my state or any state on American soil. My constituents in Oklahoma deserve to feel safe, and we will not feel safe with some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world - men who would kill thousands for an extremist ideology - on our soil.  I will fight this decision, and Oklahomans will not be subject to this type of insecurity.  I will work hand and hand with the rest of the Oklahoma delegation, and the other 93 Members of the Senate who in 2007 resolved that detainees housed at Guantanamo should not be released into American society, nor should they be transferred stateside into facilities in American communities and neighborhoods.”

Congressman Boren:  “I am adamantly opposed to the movement of Guantanamo detainees to any location in Oklahoma. It is absolutely unacceptable to even consider relocating these terrorists to American soil, let alone Oklahoma. With three Members of the Delegation sitting on the Armed Services Committees in both houses of Congress, we will be working diligently to stop any plan that includes relocating detainees to any military facility in Oklahoma.”

Congressman Cole: "I will oppose any efforts to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees into our state and other American communities. Moving dangerous terrorists closer to home threatens the safety of our citizens and undermines the security of our military posts. Many of these detainees have committed dangerous acts against Americans and it gravely concerns me that others are considering transporting them into our country. I believe the President made a mistake by announcing the closure of Guantanamo Bay before providing a plan that details what will be done with the detainees."

Congresswoman Fallin: “Oklahomans had a very personal and tragic confrontation with terrorism in 1995 that killed 168 of our friends and neighbors and we frankly do not want our soil polluted by these terrorists.  I question the decision of the new administration in announcing the closing of Guantanamo Bay without a viable plan in place, and I will do all I can to make sure that if President Obama persists in this policy that none of the terrorists will be housed in our state, even for one night.”

Congressman Sullivan: “The listing of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma as a potential relocation facility for al-Qaeda terrorists is completely unacceptable and represents a direct threat to the safety and security of Oklahoma and our nation.  I have long been skeptical about President Obama’s calls to close our terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and I will do everything in my power to keep these terrorists who have killed American’s out of our communities-period.  Since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, our nation has been focused on keeping the American people safe by taking the fight to the terrorists so we don’t have to face them here on our soil –relocating those who mean us harm to American cities is a huge step backwards in the war on terror and a danger to our homeland.”
 
Congressman Lucas: “I am disappointed by President Obama's decision to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. His poor choice has made this country less safe for each and every Oklahoman. I will work closely with the other members of our delegation to ensure that we don't expose our country to another tragedy like September 11th.”

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