Todd Tiahrt: “Today marks the 376th day that Martin and Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the Philippines.…”

“Today marks the 376th day that Martin and Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the Philippines. It has been over a year now. This July 31, the U.S. military 6-month advisory mission in the Philippines expires, yet many of us are requesting of the administration that our troops stay beyond the current deadline. There was some concern, when our troops first arrived in the Philippines 5 months ago, they would not be well received. When Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz visited the Philippines last week, he found they were very receptive in the Philippines, and that even a Muslim governor in the southern Philippines wanted an increased role for our U.S. military. Our special forces commanders feel like their job is not done. We have strategic interests and a common goal of getting rid of terrorism, so we must stay. Terrorism will not stop without their help. And then there are the Burnhams still being held hostage. How can we walk away from two of our citizens being held captive by Muslim terrorists? Mr. Speaker, I believe we know where the Burnhams are. I believe if we have the political will, we can bring them home safely. I ask the President to not walk away from Martin and Gracia Burnham. As always, I ask my colleagues to join me in prayer for Martin and Gracia and their loved ones so this nightmare may soon be over.”