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TOPEKA, Kan. – Today, a bipartisan coalition of city, county, state and federal elected office holders that represent Leavenworth County sent President Obama a letter urging him to bear in mind the concerns and thoughts of the citizens of Kansas before he considers transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth.

In the letter, Kansas officials and residents wrote, “In 2008, the City of Leavenworth initially became aware of the possibility of a transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees. Since that time, private citizens, state and local officials along with federal legislators, have worked steadfastly to voice our concerns to your Administration as to why Leavenworth is not a suitable location.

“Mr. President, the people of Leavenworth, Kansas, – regardless of political parties – are strongly against the plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center and transfer detainees to American soil. We urge you to consider their thoughts and concerns before taking any executive actions to follow through on your plans.”

Items To Note:

Below is the list of elected officials including the entire federal delegation and virtually every state official that represents Leavenworth County who signed on to the letter:

Governor Sam Brownback

State Treasurer Ron Estes

Leavenworth County Commissioner Dennis Bixby

Senator Pat Roberts

Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer

Leavenworth County Commissioner Clyde Graeber

Senator Jerry Moran

State Senator Steve Fitzgerald

Leavenworth County Commissioner Robert Holland

Congressman Tim Huelskamp

State Rep. Connie O’Brien

Leavenworth Mayor Pro Tem Larry Dedeke

Congressman Kevin Yoder

State Rep. Tony Barton

Leavenworth City Commissioner Nancy Bauder

Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer

State Rep. John Bradford

Leavenworth City Commissioner Charles Raney

Secretary of State Kris Kobach

State Rep. Willie Dove

Lansing Mayor Louis Kirby

Leavenworth County Sheriff Andy Dedeke


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