CAPITOL OFFICE

COMMITTEE

State Capitol
201 West Capitol Avenue
Room 308
Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806
Tele: (573) 751-4039
Todd.Richardson@house.mo.gov

Ex-officio member of all

committees of the House

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

Todd Richardson
State Representative
District 152

DISTRICT ADDRESS
123 South Second Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Tele: (573) 686-7281

November 17, 2015

Governor Jay Nixon
State Capitol, Room 216
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear Governor Nixon:
In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks that took place in Paris and with the continued threat of
similar attacks here in the United States, I urge you to take swift action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Missouri citizens. During these difficult times, the state needs you to serve as a strong leader
in working with the federal government to ensure a thorough screening process is in place before any
refugees are allowed to relocate to this country, and specifically to our state.
I read with interest your statement yesterday:
The safety of Missourians is my highest priority, and the terrorists who were involved in planning and
perpetrating the attacks in Paris must be caught and brought to justice. The screening process for
refugees is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, and I call on our federal partners to implement the strongest possible safeguards to protect our
state and nation.
I note the statements remarkable lack of specificity regarding Missouris role, or lack thereof, in
assisting in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in our state. While your statement does note the
obvious that it is ultimately the responsibility of the federal government to screen refugees it fails to
take any position on the resettlement of those refugees in Missouri.
As Im sure you are aware, a bipartisan group of 27 governors have opted not to participate in the
resettlement efforts and have asked the Department of State to suspend resettlement efforts in those
states until adequate security measures can be put in place. I am asking you to immediately join those
efforts.
I remain deeply concerned for the countless individuals fleeing war and religious oppression in the
Middle East. As a nation that was created by individuals fleeing religious persecution, and as a country
that owes much to the contributions of a diverse immigrant population, it is important that we continue
to serve as a beacon of hope and compassion to those in need around the world. Throughout its history,
America has provided refuge to the tired, the poor and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

and it is imperative that our doors remain open to those who come to our nation with good intent, while
at the same time turning away the terrorists who would do us harm.
Serious concerns have been raised about our immigration system and the capability of the federal
government to adequately screen these individuals. The people of Missouri deserve to know with
perfect clarity where you stand on this important issue. Furthermore, they deserve to know what
involvement the state has had, or plans to have going forward, to assist in these resettlement efforts.
Most importantly, the people of Missouri deserve to know the steps you are taking to ensure their
safety.

Sincerely,
Donna Pfautsch
District 33
Todd Richardson
District 152

Galen Higdon
District 11
Rebecca Roeber
District 34

Allen Andrews
District 1

Kenneth Wilson
District 12

J. Eggleston
District 2

Nick Marshall
District 13

Nate Walker
District 3

Kevin Corlew
District 14

Craig Redmon
District 4

Noel J Shull
District 16

Lindell Shumake
District 5

Nick King
District 17

Bart Korman
District 42

Tim Remole
District 6

Bill E. Kidd
District 20

Jay Houghton
District 43

Mike Lair
District 7

Mike Cierpiot
District 30

Caleb Rowden
District 44

Jim Neely
District 8

Sheila Solon
District 31

Jeanie Lauer
District 32
Delus Johnson
District 9

Gary L. Cross
District 35

T.J. Berry
District 38

Joe Don McGaugh

District 39

Randy Pietzman
District 41

Dave Muntzel
District 48

Charles Basye
District 47

Travis Fitzwater
District 49

Anne Zerr
District 65

Caleb Jones
District 50

Cloria Brown
District 94

Dean Dohrman
District 51

Glen Kolkmeyer
District 53

Denny Hoskins
District 54

Rick Brattin
District 55

Jack Bondon
District 56

Wanda Brown
District 57

David Wood
District 58
Mike Bernskoetter
District 59

Justin Alferman
District 61

Tom Hurst
District 62

Bryan Spencer
District 63
Robert Cornejo
District 64

Marsha Haefner
District 95

Chrissy Sommer
District 106

Ron Hicks
District 107
Justin Hill
District 108

John McCaherty
District 97

Paul Curtman
District 109

Shamed Dogan
District 98

Shane Roden
District 111

Sue Allen
District 100

Don Gosen
District 101

Kurt Bahr
District 102

Robert Vescovo
District 112

Dan Shaul
District 113

Becky Ruth
District 114

John Wiemann
District 103

Elaine Gannon
District 115

Cathie Conway
District 104

Linda Black
District 117

Kirk Mathews
District 110

Jason Chipman
District 120

Dave Hinson
District 119

Keith Frederick
District 121
Steve Lynch
District 122

Mark Parkinson
District 105
Diane Franklin
District 123

Rocky Miller
District 124

Robert Ross
District 142

Mike Moon
District 157

Warren Love
District 125

Paul Fitzwater
District 144

Scott Fitzpatrick
District 158

Patricia Pike
District 126

Shelley Keeney
District 145

Bill Lant
District 159

Mike Kelley
District 127

Donna Lichtenegger
District 146

Bill Reiboldt
District 160

Kathryn Swan
District 147

Bill White
District 161

Holly Rehder
District 148

Charlie Davis
District 162

Don Rone
District 149

Tom Flanigan, Chairman of

House Budget Committee
District 163

Sandy Crawford
District 129

Sonya Anderson
District 131

Eric Burlison
District 133

Elijah Haahr
District 134
Andrew McDaniel
District 150
Kevin Austin
District 136
Tila Hubrecht
District 151
Lyndall Fraker
District 137

Don Phillips
District 138

Steve Cookson
District 153

Shawn Rhoads
District 154

Jered Taylor
District 139
Lyle Rowland
District 155
Lynn Morris
District 140
Tony Dugger
District 141

Jeffery Justus
District 156