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Letter From Lee County Commissioners

Adopted: Nov. 18, 2003

TO: President George W. Bush, the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives and Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Re; Patriot Act

Dear Public Servant:

There has been much debate, discussion and dissertation concerning the Patriot Act. We realize that the Patriot Act was passed immediately following the September 11th attack so as to keep Americans secure and safe. We understand it is the federal government's responsibility to fight global terrorism and keep American citizens free from harm.

We are, however, concerned deeply with the details of the Patriot Act. We are concerned that some of the actual words and implementation of the Patriot Act might actually violate some of the Bill of Rights. We are specifically concerned with the possible violation of privacy, violations of private property, secret courts, and sneak and peak, the lack of habeas corpus and In general we are concerned about a shadowy, unchallengeable police state. The scenario of "big brother" and "1984" could be chilling.

We know that all of you are trying your best to both protect us and keep us free. We believe this can be done without violating basic tenants of our Bill Of Rights. We are humbly, but passionately asking all of you as public
servants and as protectors of the United States Constitution, to please make sure the Patriot Act is true to our Constitution and if it is not, change immediately those provisions of the Patriot Act that violate our historical freedoms and our civil liberties.

Respectfully submitted,

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners

Chairman John Albion.
Vice Chairman Douglas St. Cerny
Commissioner Andrew Coy
Commissioner Robert Janes
Commissioner Ray Judah
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