Madam Speaker,

Today I rise to celebrate and honor the service of Army Master Sergeant Jeffrey Mittman for receiving the Osborne A. “Oz” Day AbilityOne Awareness Award.  The prestigious “Oz” Award is presented by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled to an employee at a federal agency who demonstrates exceptional service promoting the AbilityOne Program throughout the federal, state and local communities.

Now, the National Account Manager for the National Industries for the Blind’s Midwest Region, Master Sergeant Mittman supports a mission of employment for others with disabilities by promoting the AbilityOne Program through the federal procurement process in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. This patriot’s story is a remarkable one, for his story does not start nor finish here with this award.

Master Sergeant Mittman’s indefatigable commitment to serve his fellow Americans began as a soldier in the United States Army in 1989. Having fought in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, and in 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Master Sergeant Mittman was the All-American hero who never turned down defending his country. It wasn’t till his return to Iraq in 2005 as a special advisor to the Iraqi Department of the Interior, that he came face-to-face with death; changing his life forever.

Tragically, an improvised explosive device that exploded near his vehicle in Iraq, leaving Master Sergeant Mittman without a nose, lips, most of his teeth, and the majority of his vision. Since that time, he has endured more than 40 operations and spent over four years recovering physically and emotionally. To his great credit, he has traveled the country sharing the lessons he learned from these experiences with the world.

He is noted for saying it is the veteran who has to take that very first step to recovering and that he realized this after attending the Blinded Veterans Association Conference in 2006, where he met people who were blinded years ago who are now attorneys, teachers and business executives. After realizing life can be good in spite of having a disability, he decided to help others who also have disabilities find jobs and lead meaningful lives.

Master Sergeant Mittman, a 40-year old decorated warrior, husband of 17 years, father of two and outspoken military veteran was and forever will be an All-American hero whose determination and selflessness continue to serve our country and inspire our hearts. Today, we salute you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             CONTACT: Joshua Gillespie
November 18, 2010                                                                                    (317) 848-0201

Burton Condemns Miscarriage of Justice in Terrorist Trial

“This goes to show we should not conduct social experiments in a time of war.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement in response to the surprise acquittal of terrorist Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani by a New York jury:

“Yesterday’s decision is an appalling miscarriage of justice and a stinging rebuke of the Obama Administration’s ill-conceived decision to treat terrorists as petty criminals and not enemy combatants.  The terrorists now have a blueprint to follow on how to game and twist the American legal system which will only increase the likelihood of further terrorist attacks against Americans here at home and abroad.”

“No one in the Justice Department should be congratulating themselves today.  This terrorist deserves more than twenty years in prison for plotting to destroy U.S. government property; he should be facing death for the cold-blooded calculated murders of 224 innocent people.  This goes to show we should not conduct social experiments in a time of war.”
 
Rep. Burton also spoke on this issue on the House Floor this morning.  Please see the linked video.
 

Background: Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani is a former Guantanamo Bay detainee who was on trial for his alleged role in the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 where 224 people were killed, including 12 Americans.   Gailani was charged with 286 counts – including 224 counts of murder – and convicted of only one count – conspiracy to destroy U.S. Government property.
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Yesterday, Congressman Burton took to the floor to defend our military in their treatment of terrorists detainees.  

 

Today, he signed onto a letter directed to Attorney General Eric Holder demanding that the trial of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed be moved from New York City.  There has been growing opposition to the trial in New York City from local and state leaders and would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of the trial.  

Below, you can read the text of the letter the Congressman agreed to co-sign.

 

Dear Colleague:

 

            We urge you to join us in co-signing the attached letter to Attorney General Eric Holder in support of local leaders who have expressed concern about the proposed trial of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City.  This is a dangerous and costly proposal that was unilaterally decided by the attorney general – without consultation with New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly or Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  

 

            In light of the growing opposition from New York’s local and state leaders, the Attorney General Holder is now reportedly “venue shopping” for a new location.  This strategy is no less dangerous, costly, or reckless than his decision to hold the trial in New York City.  We have both introduced legislation within the last week to prohibit funds for this trial in civilian court in the U.S.  

 

            We urge you to join us on this letter to let Attorney General Holder know that this Congress will not give him a “blank check” to impose this on other communities. 

 

Sincerely,

                                  Peter King                                            Frank R. Wolf

 

                                  Member of Congress                     Member of Congress

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Dear Attorney General Holder:

            We urge you to reconsider trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other 9/11 conspirators in federal civilian court in New York City or other alternate sites under consideration.  This is a dangerous and expensive proposal that is opposed by a growing bipartisan coalition of federal, state, and local leaders, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.  

 

Last week, Mayor Bloomberg stated, “It would be great if the federal government could find a site that didn't cost a billion dollars, which using downtown [New York City] will.  [The trial] is going to cost an awful lot of money and disturb an awful lot of people.”  We couldn’t agree more with the mayor.  

 

            We believe your decision to try these detainees in New York City is neither in the best interest of the American people nor does it provide the most appropriate venue for the trial of Mohammed -- the admitted mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and murderer of journalist Daniel Pearl -- and his co-conspirators.  We are deeply concerned that you never consulted with Commissioner Kelly or Members of Congress before declaring your intention to hold this trial in New York City.  If you had, you would have found bipartisan concern with regard to the security and cost.   

 

    First, the security implications of holding such a trial in the heart of New York City, or any urban center, expose such areas to an unnecessary security threat.  These detainees would not be transferred to a “supermax” facility, as the administration has wrongly implied, but to a less secure, local jail for years during this trial.  This is the same local jail where Mahmud Salim, charged with participating in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa, stabbed prison guard Louis Pepe in an escape attempt.  Despite efforts to secure the jail and the courthouse, the continued danger of holding a high-profile terrorist in New York City for an extended period seems ill conceived in light of recent terrorist plots against American citizens.  Furthermore, the director of the Federal Protective Service testified on November 18, 2009, that currently he does not have sufficient resources to fully secure key federal buildings that will be related to the planned trial.

 

    Additionally, it is our understanding that this trial would cost taxpayers approximately $250 million per year for the next 4-6 years – a total of more than $1 billion.  This is fiscally reckless, especially considering that there are secure facilities at Guantanamo Bay and on military bases that have been constructed to accommodate such a trial.  The trial would also place a dangerous strain on officers and deputies of the New York City Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Services, respectively, whose other important work could be compromised due to the extraordinary security measures that would be required for the trial.  

 

            We stand ready to work with you and the administration to support a military tribunal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and these co-conspirators.  A military tribunal would enjoy wide support from Members of Congress and the American people while providing a fair and appropriate trial for these detainees.  

 

Sincerely,