March 7, 2008

Dear Mr. Seiberling,

Thank you for contacting me about international issues. I'm honored to represent you in Congress. Your opinion is very important to me and my priority is to provide Iowa's Second District with the best representation possible. During consideration of the FY2008 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, Rep. McGovern (MA) offered an amendment to remove funding from the notorious "School of the Americas," a training facility that has been linked to human rights violations in Latin America. I joined Representative McGovern in voting against torture and state-sponsored military terror, but the amendment fell a few votes shy of the majority needed in order to be included in the final bill.

I am also a co-sponsor of, and strongly support, H.R. 1707 the Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2007. This legislation will direct the Secretary of the Army to suspend the operation of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (Institute) also known as the "School of the Americas." This legislation is currently being considered by the House Committee on Armed Services. As a member of this Committee I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as this legislation moves forward.

We must continue to work to close this institution in future years. It is time we fund America's schools instead of the "School of the Americas." Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue. I encourage you to visit my website at www.loebsack.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletters to stay informed of the work I'm doing in Congress. I am proud to serve Iowa's Second District, and I am committed to working hard for you.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Member of Congress