| July 14, 2005 |
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth), Chair of the Congressional War on Terror Team and Defense Appropriations Committee Member, met with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld this morning to discuss the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay and the importance this base plays on the global War on Terrorism. Twelve of Granger’s colleagues, House Armed Services Chair Duncan Hunter, amongst others, were also present at the Rumsfeld meeting.
"One of the issues discussed today with Secretary Rumsfeld at the Pentagon was the issue of Guantanamo Bay. I want to reassure those concerned that the detainees at Guantanamo Bay are treated with their rights protected under the Geneva Conventions," said Congresswoman Kay Granger. "However, let us never forget we are dealing these people while our country is at war. They are being detained to protect are troops and our country."
Added Granger: "Twelve detainees who were released because they were thought not to be a danger were later picked up in the field after attempting to harm our troops. They proved a danger to our men and women fighting for our safety and freedom."
Detainees at Guantanamo are there because they have been accused of terrorism against our country and although they are in prison, they are being treated with dignity. From the intelligence the military has retrieved from detainees at Guantanamo Bay, numerous terrorist attacks have been prevented and terrorist networks dismantled. There are almost a dozen incidents where detainees have been released from Guantanamo and then taken part in anti-Coalition activities in Iraq.
Granger serves on the Appropriations Committee and the powerful defense appropriations subcommittee. She also serves as a majority whip. Granger is the first and only female Republican to serve in the Texas House delegation. Granger represents the 12th District of Texas and is currently serving in her fifth term in Congress.