FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Contact:
Michael A Zachariades
Michael@MilitaryFamiliesUnited.org
(202) 510-5304

 

Washington, DC – Brian Wise, Executive Director of Military Families United (MFU), the nation’s leading military family and national security advocacy organization, released the following statement concerning the recent reports that Congress had denied funds for the relocation of the prison at Guantanamo Bay (GITMO), Cuba to the Thomson Correctional Center in Illinois:

"If the Administration would have moved forward to recklessly close Guantanamo Bay to meet an arbitrary deadline it would have had disastrous impacts on the national security of our country. Already dozens of dangerous detainees, who have attempted to kill members of our armed forces on the battlefield, have been freed in other countries in order to meet this deadline. We are cautiously optimistic that the President will realize the complexity of this issue and utilize his political capital to show the world what an exemplary facility Guantanamo Bay is, and the effectiveness of its operations.

Last week, when President Barack Obama ordered the Bureau of Prisons to buy the unused prison in Thomson, Illinois in order to house federal prisoners and Guantanamo detainees, MFU quickly responded that the Administration was using 'economic manipulation' in an effort to convince the American public that allowing terrorists into our neighborhoods, towns and communities, would somehow ease our economic woes.

However, even before the ink dried on the president's order to put our national security on hold while terrorists are moved to the U.S., Members of Congress began to rethink this flawed policy. Republicans and Democrats, alike, have firmly rejected the blatantly political maneuvering by the Obama Administration to fund the closing of Guantanamo Bay by attempting to attach funds through a defense bill.

Military Families United has been working tirelessly with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and decision makers in the Obama Administration to ensure that if or when GITMO is closed, it is not done so irresponsibly or in a manner which poses a national security danger to America. This is a critical time for our nation and MFU, along with every concerned American, will continue to put pressure on the Administration and urge Congress to say 'No' to GITMO North."

 

About Military Families United
Military Families United (MFU) serves as the nation’s leading military family advocacy organization, representing the interests and values of those who sacrifice for our security and our freedom: America’s troops and their families. MFU gives America’s military families a voice in the national conversation on military, national security and other public policy issues through our outreach to media, government, and the general public. We seek to communicate the truth about our brave men and women in uniform and their mission to protect our freedom.