New Yorkers for 28 Pages Transparency Writes Maloney

I was a part of this group, which is US Congressional District 12, NYC, voters. We just wrote and sent this letter to Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Check it out:

New Yorkers for 28 Pages Transparency

151 First Ave #265

New York, New York 10003

October 15, 2015

Honorable Carolyn Maloney

Washington, DC

Dear Representative Maloney,

Thank you for bringing relief to New Yorkers with the James Zadroga 9/11 Health Care and Compensation Act.  It was a major accomplishment for first responders. And thank you for your advocacy for the 9/11 Commission itself, despite great resistance from the administration.

As you know, Governor Kean famously stated that the 9/11 Commission was “set up to fail” by the Bush White House.  We are a group of concerned District 12 voters who believe House Resolution 14—a transparency bill to declassify 28 unreleased pages of the Congressional Joint Inquiry on the 9/11 Attacks—is a vital step toward a basic understanding of  9/11. Suppressing evidence—including possible financial support for the 9/11 hijackers—is unacceptable and a grave disservice to New Yorkers.

HR 14 will fully disclose the key 28 pages of the Congressional Joint Inquiry on the 9/11 Attacks inexplicably classified by President George W. Bush in 2003.  Former Senator Bob Graham, Representatives Richard Shelby and Byron Dorgan—as well as Senators Pat Leahy, Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer, Secretary of State John Kerry, Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have all supported declassification of this significant evidence.  The former Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Bob Graham, has indicated that the 28 Pages contain details on individuals closely related to the 9/11 hijackers. He has also stated that they detail involvement by “Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries as well as questionable actions by ‘certain U.S. agencies’.”

Since legislation on this issue was introduced, there has been substantial media coverage from  CNN, the New York Times, New York Post, USA Today, CNN, and many more.  Now the stakes have risen.  This September, Saudi Arabia was dropped as a defendant in a landmark suit filed by 9/11 victims families in the U.S. Southern District Court of New York.  Attorney for the plaintiffs, Sean Carter, has stated, “The government's decision to continue to classify that material certainly factored into this outcome. Evidence central to these claims continues to be treated as classified.”

One further point must be made.  According to those familiar with them, the 28 pages contain crucial information necessary to formulate an effective national security policy today—especially given the complex state of conflict in Syria and Iraq.  You, Representative Maloney, will soon be asked to make important decisions, on life and death matters: war, and conflict resolution in this volatile region. Co-sponsor of HR 14, Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, stated at a recent press conference, “Some of the best intelligence we have is in these 28 pages and most of our colleagues in the House have not read them.”  Key members of Congress who have read them have stated that their release would not in any way compromise national security.

As a New Yorker and Congressional leader, you can help.  We urge you to access these materials yourself.  After your review, we’d like to get your assessment.

The Carolyn Maloney who stood up to the Bush White House on 9/11 can take another stand for transparency and truth.  Not only is it the right thing to do, we believe there will be tangible political benefits in making a strong statement of support. The 9/11 victims families still demand their answers in court.  Let’s not let them down!

Thanks for your attention to this vital matter.

Sincerely yours,

Eric Joseph Rassi

Sander Hicks

and the Steering Committee

New Yorkers for 28 Pages Transparency