[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 102 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING THE PROTECT AMERICA ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2016

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protect 
America Act.
  On June 12, 2016 we watched in horror as a lone terrorist, pledging 
allegiance to ISIS, carried out the nation's worst terror attack since 
September 11, 2001. As we continue to grieve and pray for those 
devastated by this attack, we must redouble our efforts and be clear in 
our resolve to protect our nation and her citizens from the radical 
Islamic terrorism that continues to target us.
  Part of the effort to protect our homeland must be to ensure the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement officials 
have the tools they need to block terrorists from purchasing a gun. 
That's why I support the Protect America Act which would establish a 
process to deny firearms and explosives to individuals suspected of 
terrorism. This common sense bill is carefully crafted to only target 
terrorists, and to protect the Constitutional principle of due process 
for law-abiding Americans who seek to exercise their Second Amendment 
rights. We must absolutely deny terrorists the means to attack us, but 
we must not undermine our freedom in the process.
  Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, the threat of radical Islamic terrorism 
is real. And it is once again threatening us on our own soil. From Fort 
Hood, to Boston, to San Bernardino, and now to Orlando, we have been 
tragically reminded that there are radical Islamists who seek to kill 
us simply for who we are as a people.
  Blocking terrorists' ability to purchase weapons that can be used to 
wage war on innocent Americans is an important step. But we must have 
clear eyes about what it will take to defeat this enemy. Our efforts to 
combat this radicalism must be carried out on multiple fronts: through 
diplomatic action, military force, and countering the finances used to 
carry out these attacks. We cannot back down in fear. We must fight 
back. We must win.

                          ____________________