LETTER: Legislator says keeping Montana safe is job No. 1

I have had the opportunity to read Sen. Kaufmann’s guest opinion printed Dec. 6, and I felt it necessary to respond.

In my opinion, the letter written by the dean of the Senate and signed by over one-third of the state legislators concerning the Montana Syrian refugee resettlement issue is a legitimate instrument to notify the governor of our concerns.

It is the fiduciary responsibility of all elected representatives to promote the health, welfare, and safety of all residents of Montana. It is our opinion that the process of refugee resettlement has become more complex due to the recent terrorist acts in San Bernardino and Paris, which were committed by refugees and/or immigrants within their host countries. Safety issues need to be reassessed and strengthened as it pertains to the process of refugee resettlement regardless of the origin of those in need.

The intent of our letter to the governor is to initiate an honest and prudent discussion concerning the issue of safety within the refugee resettlement program. I would hope the governor and the legislators from the Democratic Party would enter into a rational dialogue that could educate the public on the success of Montana’s refugee resettlement program since its inception in 1980.

In order to continue that success, we need to look at the extensive background checks accomplished before one is allowed to come to Montana, and to acknowledge, as FBI Director Comey did, that the Syrian refugee background database is inadequate for those extensive inquiries.

Furthermore, this would be a good opportunity for Montana to showcase our state’s plan for prevention and response to terror attacks of any origin. Do not forget that there are Montanans whose names were published on the latest Islamic hit list.

Finally, I would ask you to not confuse our legislative responsibility to raise the issue of our residents’ safety with hatred toward others in any way, shape or form. As an elected representative it is my duty to serve and protect the people of Montana.

It is time for Sen. Kaufmann and her Democratic colleagues to pull their heads out of the sand and acknowledge the new practical reality. There will be people that come to America under the guise of being helpless and oppressed that plan to act out violently towards the people of their host country. Although, the chances of a terrorist act happening in Montana is unlikely, I believe one terrorist attack on Montana soil is one too many. —Al Olszewski, Kalispell Republican,  House District 11