CAPITOL OFFICE

State Capitol 201 West Capitol Avenue

Room 308 Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806

Tele: (573) 751-4039 Todd.Richardson@house.mo.gov

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Todd Richardson

State Representative District 152

COMMITTEE

Ex-officio member of all committees of the House

DISTRICT ADDRESS

123 South Second Street Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Tele: (573) 686-7281

November 17, 2015

Governor Jay Nixon State Capitol, Room 216 Jefferson City, MO 65101 Dear Governor Nixon: In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks that took place in Paris and with the continued threat of similar attacks here in the United States, I urge you to take swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of all Missouri citizens. During these difficult times, the state needs you to serve as a strong leader in working with the federal government to ensure a thorough screening process is in place before any refugees are allowed to relocate to this country, and specifically to our state.

I read with interest your statement yesterday:

“The safety of Missourians is my highest priority, and the terrorists who were involved in planning and perpetrating the attacks in Paris must be caught and brought to justice. The screening process for refugees is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and I call on our federal partners to implement the strongest possible safeguards to protect our state and nation.”

I note the statement’s remarkable lack of specificity regarding Missouri’s role, or lack thereof, in assisting in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in our state. While your statement does note the obvious – that it is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government to screen refugees – it fails to take any position on the resettlement of those refugees in Missouri.

As I’m sure you are aware, a bipartisan group of 27 governors have opted not to participate in the resettlement efforts and have asked the Department of State to suspend resettlement efforts in those states until adequate security measures can be put in place. I am asking you to immediately join those efforts.

I remain deeply concerned for the countless individuals fleeing war and religious oppression in the Middle East. As a nation that was created by individuals fleeing religious persecution, and as a country that owes much to the contributions of a diverse immigrant population, it is important that we continue to serve as a beacon of hope and compassion to those in need around the world. Throughout its history, America has provided refuge to the tired, the poor and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

and it is imperative that our doors remain open to those who come to our nation with good intent, while at the same time turning away the terrorists who would do us harm.

Serious concerns have been raised about our immigration system and the capability of the federal government to adequately screen these individuals. The people of Missouri deserve to know with perfect clarity where you stand on this important issue. Furthermore, they deserve to know what involvement the state has had, or plans to have going forward, to assist in these resettlement efforts. Most importantly, the people of Missouri deserve to know the steps you are taking to ensure their safety.

Sincerely,

Todd Richardson District 152 Allen Andrews District 1 J. Eggleston District 2 Nate Walker District 3 Craig Redmon District 4 Lindell Shumake District 5 Tim Remole District 6 Mike Lair District 7 Jim Neely District 8 Delus Johnson District 9

Galen Higdon District 11 Kenneth Wilson District 12 Nick Marshall District 13 Kevin Corlew District 14 Noel J Shull District 16 Nick King District 17 Bill E. Kidd District 20 Mike Cierpiot District 30 Sheila Solon District 31 Jeanie Lauer District 32

Donna Pfautsch District 33 Rebecca Roeber District 34 Gary L. Cross District 35 T.J. Berry District 38 Joe Don McGaugh District 39 Randy Pietzman District 41

Bart Korman District 42 Jay Houghton District 43 Caleb Rowden District 44 Dave Muntzel District 48 Charles Basye District 47

Travis Fitzwater District 49 Caleb Jones District 50 Dean Dohrman District 51 Glen Kolkmeyer District 53 Denny Hoskins District 54 Rick Brattin District 55 Jack Bondon District 56 Wanda Brown District 57 David Wood District 58 Mike Bernskoetter District 59 Justin Alferman District 61 Tom Hurst District 62 Bryan Spencer District 63 Robert Cornejo District 64

Anne Zerr District 65 Cloria Brown District 94 Marsha Haefner District 95 John McCaherty District 97 Shamed Dogan District 98

Sue Allen District 100 Don Gosen District 101 Kurt Bahr District 102 John Wiemann District 103 Cathie Conway District 104 Kirk Mathews District 110 Jason Chipman District 120 Mark Parkinson District 105

Chrissy Sommer District 106 Ron Hicks District 107 Justin Hill District 108 Paul Curtman District 109 Shane Roden District 111 Robert Vescovo District 112 Dan Shaul District 113 Becky Ruth District 114 Elaine Gannon District 115 Linda Black District 117 Dave Hinson District 119 Keith Frederick District 121 Steve Lynch District 122 Diane Franklin District 123

Rocky Miller District 124 Warren Love District 125 Patricia Pike District 126 Mike Kelley District 127 Sandy Crawford District 129 Sonya Anderson District 131 Eric Burlison District 133 Elijah Haahr District 134 Kevin Austin District 136 Lyndall Fraker District 137 Don Phillips District 138 Jered Taylor District 139 Lynn Morris District 140 Tony Dugger District 141

Robert Ross District 142 Paul Fitzwater District 144 Shelley Keeney District 145 Donna Lichtenegger District 146 Kathryn Swan District 147 Holly Rehder District 148 Don Rone District 149 Andrew McDaniel District 150 Tila Hubrecht District 151 Steve Cookson District 153 Shawn Rhoads District 154 Lyle Rowland District 155 Jeffery Justus District 156

Mike Moon District 157 Scott Fitzpatrick District 158 Bill Lant District 159 Bill Reiboldt District 160 Bill White District 161 Charlie Davis District 162 Tom Flanigan, Chairman of House Budget Committee District 163