[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 97 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H5349-H5350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMUNICATION FROM HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT, DEMOCRATIC LEADER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
communication from the Honorable Richard A. Gephardt, Democratic 
Leader:

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Office of the Democratic Leader,

                                     Washington, DC, July 9, 1999.
     Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: I am writing to inform you that I am 
     withdrawing my appointment of Mr. Salam Al-Marayati to the 
     National Commission on Terrorism.
       Mr. Al-Marayati was recommended for this commission by 
     individuals who knew him to possess several qualifications, 
     including knowledge of the subject matter, involvement in 
     interfaith dialogue, and extensive public service experience. 
     Upon subsequently learning of questions about this 
     appointment, I supported efforts to refer them to those 
     agencies that will be involved in conducting background 
     investigations and

[[Page H5350]]

     issuing security clearances for all members of the 
     commission.
       I have since been informed that unlike Mr. Al-Marayati, all 
     other appointees to the commission either hold or recently 
     held security clearances and will only require a brief update 
     in order to begin their service. I have also been notified 
     that in order to issue for any individual a first-time 
     security clearance of the level likely to be required for the 
     sensitive matters to be reviewed by the commission, the 
     investigating agencies generally require up to twelve months 
     or more to conduct a complete background investigation.
       In light of the fact that the term of the commission is 
     only six months, it has become evident that an appropriate 
     security clearance is not likely to be processed in time for 
     Mr. Al-Marayati to participate in the commission's work. This 
     situation has therefore required that his appointment to the 
     commission be withdrawn.
       Despite these circumstances, Mr. Al-Marayati is prepared to 
     provide input to the commission on matters of interest and 
     concern to the American Muslim community. I hope the 
     commission will listen to the voices of this community and 
     address the issues of civil rights for all Americans 
     consistent with a strong U.S. anti-terrorism policy.
           Sincerely,
     Richard A. Gephardt.

                          ____________________