[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            KEEP GITMO OPEN

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Guantanamo Bay is a first-class 
detention center that cost American taxpayers $100 million. But the 
administration is begging other countries around the world to accept 
the terrorists that are held there. In its attempt to farm out these 
terrorists, the administration may be sowing the seeds of future 
attacks, as the U.S. will have little say over how long these 
terrorists are held.
  An interview with designated terrorist Abdul Haq should give all 
Americans cause for concern. Of the detainees who might be transferred 
to the island of Palau, at least eight have admitted that Haq was their 
leader.
  In a recently translated interview, Haq is clear about his ties to 
the Taliban and al Qaeda. He glorifies attacks against Americans and 
our allies, and even blesses Osama bin Laden.
  So, once again, why are we closing a first-class detention facility 
and putting terrorists in a position where they can do Americans harm?

                          ____________________