OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

LENNY CURRY

CITY HALL SUITE 400

117 W. DUVAL STREET
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202

MAYOR

November 17, 2015

The Honorable Marco Rubio
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Rubio:
As mayor for the people of Jacksonville, I make public safety my top priority. In the aftermath of this
weekends horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, I am more committed than ever to do everything I can to eliminate
threats to our city's safety.
Among the facts coming out of Paris is news that at least one of the eight terrorists who conducted the attacks
entered Europe with a special passport as a refugee of Syria. In light of this, I am very concerned about the U.S.
Refugee Admissions Program.
The people of our nation, our state, and this great city have a long history of compassion in response to
humanitarian needs around the globe. We are a community that respects diversity in religious and political
thought. Yet, we cannot allow those who would do us harm to use our principles and beliefs as a weakness to
exploit, particularly when those who claim credit for the Paris attacks have promised attacks on United States
soil.
As a result, I join Florida Governor Rick Scott in his request of Members of Congress to take any action
available through the powers of the United States Congress to prevent federal allocations toward the relocation
of Syrian refugees without extensive examination into how this would affect our homeland security.
Please know that I stand ready to assist in any efforts that contribute to the safety and security of Jacksonville
residents.
With Sincerity,

Lenny Curry
Mayor

Cc: Governor Rick Scott