Dear District 7 Neighbor:

For over two years I have repeatedly warned about the threat posed by terrorists seeking to enter our country through our porous southern border. FBI Director Robert Mueller confirmed under oath in front of my Appropriations Subcommittee that an unknown number of Islamic individuals from countries with known al Qaeda connections have entered the United States using false Hispanic identities, speaking Spanish and hiding among the growing flood of illegal immigrants.

The Houston Chronicle has ignored and ridiculed my statements. Below is a story printed in the San Antonio Express-News that you will not read in the Chronicle. FBI Director Robert Mueller was in San Antonio last week and publicly confirmed that the FBI had stopped a human smuggling ring organized by Hezbollah to smuggle terrorists into the U.S.

Please be assured that I will continue working vigorously with the Administration and House Leadership to secure out borders and enforce immigration laws. We will never win the War on Terror until we secure our borders.

I am grateful for the privilege of representing you in the United States Congress.

Sincerely,
John Culberson

FBI chief applauds S.A. office
October 27, 2006
By Guillermo Contreras
San Antonio Express-News

FBI Director Robert Mueller defended a technique used in domestic surveillance during a visit to San Antonio on Friday and said investigating kidnappings along the Texas-Mexico border is a priority for the bureau.

Dear District 7 Neighbor:

In case you missed it, this op-ed piece ran in Saturday's Houston Chronicle. The author is a former White House and Defense Department official who confirms the serious security threat that Venezuela and its President, Hugo Chavez, pose to our southern border. I was mocked by the Chronicle Editorial Board and Chronicle columnist Rick Casey for discussing this threat, but it will not deter my efforts to send money to the border sheriffs to secure our borders.

Want a Scary Read? Try Report on Border Security
Gaping Holes are Allowing Terrorists Unimpeded Entry
Copyright Houston Chronicle
By Douglas MacKinnon
October 27, 2006

While much of the national mainstream media continue to focus on "he said, she said" political stories, an exponentially more serious subject is escaping their notice. It's a story that has a direct impact on Texas and involves the national security of the United States.

Today President George W. Bush signed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act, into law. This legislation authorizes construction of 700 miles of double-layer reinforced fencing along the southwest border as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, ground sensors, satellites, radar, and cameras for border surveillance.

In addition, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007 contained $1.2 billion to start construction of the border fence. This bill was signed into law on October 4 and the money is an initial down payment on the cost of the fence. Congress will continue to provide the necessary funding for this project until it is completed.

Engler says Votes Critical toward Future Economic Growth and Competitiveness

HOUSTON, Texas, October 25, 2006 — Recognizing his strong voting record in support of American manufacturing and a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda during the 109th Congress, the National Association of Manufacturers today honored Rep. John Culberson (R-TX-07) with its Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence during a presentation hosted by McDermott International, Inc.

The NAM Award is presented to members of Congress who vote in the best interest of the manufacturing economy at least 70 percent of the time on Key Manufacturing Votes as designated by a special committee of NAM member companies, large and small. Rep. Culberson’s voting record was an outstanding 100 percent.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is hosting a national traveling photo exhibition called "After the Crash," that provides a glimpse into the lives of 10 families affected by underage drinking and driving. Between October 27 – 29, the exhibition will make its only stop in the Houston area at Katy Mills Mall.

Every year, nearly 2,000 people are killed and half a million are injured in alcohol related traffic accidents involving an underage drinking driver. "After the Crash" aims to educate teens and their parents about the tragic consequences of underage drinking and driving. For more information, please visit www.afterthecrash.org.