Dear Federal Colleagues,

Over the last few days we have seen harrowing and shocking images in the media of the rapidly
deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. As US military forces withdraw, the Taliban has quickly
taken control of the country and all possible border crossings out of Afghanistan. These
developments not only endanger the lives of Americans still in Afghanistan, they endanger the
lives of thousands of Afghan allies who have helped our military forces over the past two decades.
As state legislators, we implore you to do everything in your power to get these individuals out
and ensure their safety. These people were there for us, and now we must be there for them.
Over the past two decades, both US and NATO personnel stationed in Afghanistan have depended
on translators, linguists, contractors, and guides: all of them Afghan citizens. Their work has not
only been critical to our missions, it has been essential to keeping our personnel safe and alive.
Some of us know this from first-hand experience serving in Afghanistan. These are local residents
who signed up to work with us despite the risks this brought to themselves and their families. Their
lives, and their families lives, are still at risk. As our military forces formally withdraw and the
Taliban regains power, that risk is severely heightened.
We cannot forget our friends and the great sacrifices they have made to help us. And we cannot
forget the risks that we have asked our allies to take for our very own safety. We know there are
bounties on the heads of translators and guides. These people and their families face imminent
danger for aiding us and that risk only grows as each day goes on. As you continue to work
diligently with military officials, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and
other agencies on evacuation plans, we must also make every effort to get our Afghan allies out.
We urge you to continue this critical work. It is our duty as a nation to ensure that no man, woman,
or child is left behind, and we pledge to assist in this mission however we can.
Sincerely,
John C. Velis Mike Rush
State Senator State Senator
Second Hampden and Hampshire District Norfolk and Suffolk District

Harriette L. Chandler John J. Cronin

State Senator State Senator
First Worcester District Worcester and Middlesex District

Michael O. Moore Patrick M. O’Connor

State Senator State Senator
Second Worcester District Plymouth and Norfolk District

Adam G. Hinds Brendan P. Crighton

State Senator State Senator
Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin Third Essex District
and Hampden District

Rebecca L. Rausch Jason M. Lewis

State Senator State Senator
Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District Fifth Middlesex District

Michael D. Brady Adam Gomez

State Senator State Senator
Second Plymouth and Bristol District Hampden District

Mark C. Montigny Paul R. Feeney

State Senator State Senator
Second Bristol and Plymouth District Bristol and Norfolk District

Eric P. Lesser Patricia D. Jehlen

State Senator State Senator
First Hampden and Hampshire District Second Middlesex District

Jo Comerford Diana DiZoglio

State Senator State Senator
Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District First Essex District

Barry R. Finegold John F. Keenan

State Senator State Senator
Second Essex and Middlesex District Norfolk and Plymouth District

Nick Collins Ryan Fattman

State Senator State Senator
First Suffolk District Worcester and Norfolk District

Lindsay Sabadosa Carol Doherty

State Representative State Representative
1st Hampshire District 3rd Bristol District

Richard M. Haggerty Mindy Domb

State Representative State Representative
30th Middlesex District 3rd Hampshire District

Meghan Kilcoyne Jake Oliveira

State Representative State Representative
12th Worcester District 7th Hampden District

Sean Garballey David K. Muradian, Jr.

State Representative State Representative
23rd Middlesex District 9th Worcester District

Liz Miranda David Allen Robertson

State Representative State Representative
5th Suffolk District 19th Middlesex District

Ruth B. Blaser Steven Ultrino

State Representative State Representative
12th Middlesex District 33rd Middlesex District

Adam J. Scanlon Timothy R. Whelan

State Representative State Representative
14th Bristol District 1st Barnstable District

Kathleen R. LaNatra Lori A. Ehrlich

State Representative State Representative
12th Plymouth District 8th Essex District

Paul W. Mark Tackey Chan

State Representative State Representative
2nd Berkshire District 2nd Norfolk District

Linda Dean Campbell Kelly W. Pease

State Representative State Representative
15th Essex District 4th Hampden District

Edward R. Phillips Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

State Representative State Representative
8th Norfolk District 20th Middlesex District

Vanna Howard Brian M. Ashe

State Representative State Representative
17th Middlesex District 2nd Hampden District

William M. Straus Tricia Farley-Bouvier

State Representative State Representative
10th Bristol District 3rd Berkshire District

Carmine Lawrence Gentile Paul J. Donato

State Representative State Representative
13th Middlesex District 35th Middlesex District

Patricia A. Duffy Jack Patrick Lewis

State Representative State Representative
5th Hampden District 7th Middlesex District

Joseph D. McKenna Colleen M. Garry

State Representative State Representative
18th Worcester 36th Middlesex District

Tram T. Nguyen John Barrett III

State Representative State Representative
18th Essex District 1st Berkshire District

Daniel R. Carey Smitty Pignatelli

State Representative State Representative
2nd Hampshire District 4th Berkshire District

Christine Barber Alyson M. Sullivan

State Representative State Representative
34th Middlesex District 7th Plymouth District

Christopher Hendricks Kimberly Ferguson

State Representative State Representative
11th Bristol District 1st Worcester District

Rady Mom Bill Driscoll, Jr.

State Representative State Representative
18th Middlesex District 7th Norfolk District

Jay Barrows Jim O’Day

State Representative State Representative
1st Bristol District 14th Worcester District

Steven Howitt Steve Owens

State Representative State Representative
4th Bristol District 29th Middlesex District

Michael P. Kushmerek
State Representative
3rd Worcester District

Steven G. Xiarhos
State Representative
5th Barnstable District
Gold Star Father of United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos
2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment
Killed in Action
07/23/2009 Garmsir, Afghanistan