Sam Johnson statement on foiled Dallas terror plot
“The enemy hides in the dark shadows within our borders and in our communities.”

September 25, 2009

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) released the following statement on the thwarted car bombing in a downtown Dallas skyscraper. Authorities arrested Jordanian citizen Hosam Maher Husein Smadi, 19, yesterday when he parked a vehicle that he understood to contain real explosives at Fountain Place. Smadi was in the United States illegally.

This news comes around the same time that local investigators have uncovered supposedly unrelated terrorist planning activity in Illinois, Denver, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

“First, I want to thank and commend the local Dallas Police and the FBI for protecting innocent people from a potential car bomb in downtown Dallas. They deserve all the credit and tremendous praise for their undercover work.

“We know that the alleged perpetrator was in America illegally. Hopefully his arrest will reignite the debate for real illegal immigration reform, especially cracking down on those who overstay their welcome. This news is a grim reminder that our enemies remain ruthless in their determination to destroy our American way of life and the freedoms and liberties we hold dear.

“In the last week Americans have learned of foiled terrorist activity in Dallas, Denver, New York City, Springfield, Philadelphia, and the Marine Corps base at Quantico. These are the home-grown terror plots we know about. Perhaps many have forgotten September 11, 2001. We can not let memories fade and we need to remain vigilant in the war against terror. Clearly, the enemy hides in the dark shadows within our borders and in our communities.”

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