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Carcieri Statement on Homeland Security Bill


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February 23, 2004 By

Rhode Island Gov. Donald L. Carcieri issued the following statement regarding legislation he recently submitted on homeland security.

"In the aftermath of the September 11th bombing of the World Trade towers in New York City, many states throughout the country have engaged in a thorough review of statutes aimed at preventing and prosecuting terrorist acts. We undertook a similar review and determined that many of our laws needed updating. State government has a responsibility to ensure the public's safety by assessing and responding to new and evolving threats."

"As a result, I submitted legislation to the general assembly designed to revise our current laws to account for these new threats. Concerns have been raised in recent days regarding the scope of this legislation. Much of the reaction focuses, as well, on decades-old provisions of existing state law."

"In light of these concerns, I have asked the general assembly to withdraw the current measure from consideration. Going forward, I will solicit input from a variety of interested and informed parties to determine what alterations to our existing laws are necessary to protect public safety in a post-9/11 world."

"In the end, however, our response must be carefully measured against preserving Americans' fundamental rights and liberties, including freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and freedom to petition. I intend to safeguard the rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution and the constitution of the state of Rhode Island."

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