There has been a string of terror cases involving U.S. citizens in recent years. Justice Department data obtained by Fox News shows there has been a "class-one" terrorism case -- the highest designation for a terrorism case -- involving a U.S. citizen every two weeks, on average, since January 2009. An August 2010 background report showed 21 U.S. citizens were charged in such cases in 2009 and another 20 were charged in 2010 between January and August. Source HERE.

 

PUBLIC CHAPTER 497

 

 

                                     Read: HOMEGROWN TERRORISM 
 

Jerome Bjelopera and Mark Randol agree stating, The Obama Administration has no unified strategy, plan or framework focused on homegrown jihadist terrorism.

                          "No Prosperity Without Security"
 

Improving the odds of effectively countering today's increasingly dynamic and diversified terrorist threat will require a much greater degree of engagement of state and local public safety officials.  As the ranks of U.S. recruits have grown, the new frontlines have become the streets of Bridgeport, Denver, Minneapolis, and other big and small communities across America.   Making sure that the nation's 50,000 public safety agencies are kept apprised of the changing face of terrorism poses a significant training and information-sharing challenge, but one that America neglects at its peril.(p. 31-32.) Source HERE.

 

                        Watch: Losing Our Community

 

"Material Support to Designated Entities Act of 2011." 
*SB 1028 by *Ketron , Tracy, Beavers, Gresham, Johnson
HB 1353 by *Matheny ,Todd, Womick, Dean, Shipley, Dennis, Faison, Rich, White, Gotto, Holt, Hurley, Weaver, Watson, Powers, Wirgau, Hawk, Alexander, Sargent, Butt, McDaniel, Eldridge, Sanderson

Our prime sponsors are Senate Republican Caucus Leader Bill Ketron (Murfreesboro)
and House Speaker Pro Tem Judd Matheny (Tullahoma).

Will you click on these links and thank Ketron and Matheny for their sponsorship? sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov,rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov.
 

 

On June 16, 2011, Governor Haslam signed the Material Support Bill and it became
Public Chapter 497.

 

UPDATE:  On April 12, testimony was presented (for information only)  in House Judiciary on HB 1353 by former Lt. Col. Joe Myers and the honorable former Department of Defense Inspector General Joe Schmitz.  On the afternoon of April 12th, testimony was presented in Senate Judiciary on SB 1028. A lively discussion folllowed for about two hours.  A vote on the bill was postponed.  On April 13th, HB 1353 was presented in House Judiciary Subcommittee for a vote and flew out of the committee on a voice vote.
[Left:  Myers, Joanne, Bobbie, Rep. Judd Matheny, Schmitz; Right: Our team wth Sen. Bill Ketron.]

UPDATE:  On April 26, HB 1353 was presented in House Judiciary where, after extensive discussion, it passed with a bi-partisan vote of 12-4. Later that same afternoon, SB1028, once again, after some discussion, passed with a bi-partisan vote of 6-3.  More details HERE. Each bill now moves to the respective Finance Committees for further action. Opponents of this bill are continuing to make their voices heard so it is vital that supporters stay engaged in the battle.

 

UPDATE: The House Budget Subcommittee convened about 6:50 p.m.,May 19th.  They finally got to the Material Support Bill, HB1353 at 8:20 p.m. After about 10 minutes, with Rep. Gary Odom (D-Nashville)  repeating at least three times his objections to the legislation, the bill was voted out on a voice voice. As soon as the subcommittee completed its work, the full Finance Committee convened. At 11:05p.m, they took up HB1353, and, once again, Odom repeated his objections.  The bill came out on a voice vote.  At the conclusion of that committee's work, the Calendar and Rules Committee convened at 12:45 a.m.  About one o'clock, HB1353 moved forward on a voice vote.  It is on Calendar 3 for the House floor when they convene at 9:00 a.m. today, May 20.

UPDATE:  On May 20, 2011, HB 1353, with bipartisan support, passed the State House 76-16-1. A GREAT victory for the safety and security of the people of Tennessee.

UPDATE: On May 21, 2011, SB 1028, will bipartisan vote the State Senate passed the Material Support Bill 26-3. Republicans Beavers, Bell, Campfield, Crowe, Faulk, Gresham, Johnson Kelsey, Ketron, McNally, Norris, Oberbey, Roberts, Southerland, Summerville, Tracy, Watson, Woodson, Yager, and Ramsey, were joined by six Democrats: Barnes, Burks, Finney, Ford, Harper, Tate.
Voting NO: Henry, Kyle, Marrero.
Not voting: Berke, Haynes, Herron, Stewart

This bill has offered us a significant opportunity to raise awareness among our legislators and begin to educate them about the many related and underlying issues. A new focus has been introduced and one we are confident will be pursued next year.

To everyone who prayed, who called, who emailed, who did anything to support this important effort, we express our deep appreciation.  Without your involvement, we would not be enjoying this major victory.

 

Legislation will work to prevent homegrown attacks

SB 1028 Protects Our Freedoms

 

   One Page Summary of Amended Bill
 

 

  Language of the re-written bill

 

 

Senate passes bill strengthening Tennessee's Anti-Terrorism Law

Contact:  Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email:  darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.gov

(NASHVILLE, TN), May 21, 2011 “ The State Senate today voted 26 to 3 to approve an anti-terrorism bill that updates the Tennessee Terrorism Prevention Act that was passed shortly after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and was approved unanimously in both the House and Senate.  The "Material Support to Designated Entities Act of 2011 now makes the provision of "material support a Class A felony and helps to close the prevention gap left by the 2002 statute. 

"After discussions with all interested parties the bill was rewritten to achieve a fiscally responsible way to cut off "material support that assists those planning to commit terrorist acts in Tennessee since it is the support that typically makes the acts more likely to occur, said Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), sponsor of the bill.  "This bill is very timely, in view of the fact that an August 2010 background report showed 21 U.S. citizens were charged in terrorist cases in 2009 and another 20 were charged in 2010 between January and August.

The trajectory of cases of homegrown terrorism includes actors such as Memphis Carlos Bledsoe who attempted to firebomb the home of a Nashville rabbi and went on to murder 24-year old Private William Long in Arkansas.  Secretary Janet Napolitano has called out to states to become more active and engaged in counter-terrorism measures. 

The new amendment eliminates designation of terrorist entities by the state authorities and instead, defers to designations already made by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Department of the Treasury.  The bill supports the work of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in continuing the collaboration between federal and state law enforcement authorities.

Ketron said the bill is an even handed and non-discriminatory counter-terrorism measure.  The bill specifically declares that it does not target the peaceful practice of any religion.  It, however, prohibits using religious doctrine as a justification for terrorist acts in Tennessee.

"It should be a priority of ours to protect the citizens of our great state “ there will be no prosperity without security, he concluded.

The bill now goes to Governor Bill Haslam for his signature.