U.S. Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, was in Trenton Wednesday afternoon as part of his district defense tour, discussing the potential for war with Iraq as well as immigration reform, Homeland Security and defense funding.
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U.S. Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, was in Trenton Wednesday afternoon as part of his district defense tour, discussing the potential for war with Iraq as well as immigration reform, Homeland Security and defense funding.
Congressman Graves said the tour is an opportunity for him to meet with public safety officials, first responders and military personnel from across the Sixth Congressional District. Among those attending the visit in Trenton were representatives from the local National Guard unit, the Grundy County Sheriff?s Department, the Grundy County Ambulance Service, the Trenton Police Department, the Missouri Highway Parol, the Grundy County Health Department, the city of Trenton and the Trenton, Grundy County Rural, Laredo and Galt fire departments.
Graves said that with the events of Sept. 11 still fresh in people?s minds, it is more important than ever to be ready for the possibility of other attacks, adding that the Midwest is one of the most vulnerable areas in the U.S.
?The Midwest is considered a ?soft target? in that we tend to be a more trusting people and sometimes are not as aware or watchful,? he said. ?Communication is key and we must make sure that we have the plans in place to be able to communicate with those we need to should something happen. Coordination between those entities is essential to be able to handle a crisis, should it occur.?
He noted that legislation is in place that would provide funding to first providers, such as law enforcement units and fire departments so that they can be more prepared through training and equipment.
?Local emergency providers are going to become even more important and things begin to gear up,? Graves said. ?They will be called on to serve.?
Graves discussed a bill he has filed in the House that would provide a tax credit of up to 50 percent to those businesses whose employees are called to duty with the National Guard and continue to provide a paycheck to the families in their absence.
?The bills still go on,? Graves said. ?We want these people to be able to serve without having to worry about how their families will be taken care of. At a time when our fighting men and women are preparing to defend our security abroad, it is incumbent upon Congress to defend their families? financial security at home.?
The congressman also addressed the possibility of war with Iraq, noting that it is hoped it can be settled diplomatically.
?Iraq represents the new and emerging threat to our national security and we must do what we can to disarm Sadaam Hussein,? Graves said. ?We would like to have him do it voluntarily, which looks less and less likely. If he won?t, then we will have to do it militarily. The U.S. is a target and we need to protect our freedoms and liberties.?
Graves said it is also important to make changes in the U.S. immigration laws, adding that he supports reforms being considered that would make it more difficult for persons from other countries to enter our borders.
?We need to make some real changes,? he said, noting that his focus would be on the immigration lottery, which allows a certain number of persons into the U.S. each year without background checks.
Graves also wants to see continued efforts to beef up the U.S. Defense spending, which he said is crucial to the safety of this nation.
?Because America?s security will always be my number one priority, I will stand in the way of anyone who dares to cut funding for the men and women of our military,? Graves said. ?I will continue to defend the freedom and security of the American people.?