July 21, 2004 Letter to President Bush, Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
July 21, 2004
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
Dear Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran:
As your constituent, I urge you to eliminate the “Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange” (known as Matrix). I do not believe my federal tax dollars should be used for this invasive and dangerous program.
I have read that the Matrix database will collect and centralize an amazing array of my personal information. News reports indicate that the database would include driver’s license photographs, the names and addresses of family members voter registrations, gun licenses and a vast array of other private details. And, just as there are errors in credit reports, this giant database will be compiled with information from a multitude of error-prone sources. Incorrect information could bring me to the attention of the authorities even if I haven’t done anything wrong.
A program like Matrix has deep implications for individual privacy and potential changes in the fundamental relationship of citizens to their government. The program is also expensive, taking away badly needed funds from more worthy causes. At a time when the budget is facing hard times, there is little justification for spending scarce funds on this spying program.
The information will not only be used for fighting terrorism. Contrary to its proponents’ assertions, internal documents have shown that Matrix will be used for “datamining” of personal records to find evidence that you have committed a crime. Creating a program to combine separate, independently available databases of information on innocent Americans is not merely a “technological advancement,” but a body blow to the core American principle that the government will leave people alone unless it has good reason to suspect them of wrongdoing.
Once again, I urge you to eliminate this invasive program and to support the withdrawal of our state’s involvement.
As a former Marine opposed to fascist tyranny and police state tactics, I find this proposal extremely disturbing. For all the money and lives spent on winning the Cold War, I cannot fathom how proposals like this one, which imitate the tactics of the Soviet Union, can be made in good faith.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
September 2, 2004
Mr. James Landrith
PO BOX 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306-8208
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for contacting me concerning the federal government’s pilot program known as the Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange or MATRIX program.
The Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange or MATRIX pilot program used advanced computer and information management capabilities to share, analyze and access public records in order to provide law enforcement assistance in terrorist and other investigations. MATRIX is being administered by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is managing the project’s security and access to the system with funding provided by DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
I understand and share your concern about the MATRIX’s potential for privacy abuse. While the program may offer our law enforcement and intelligence agencies a useful tool in preventing future terrorist attacks and other violent crimes, we must ensure that the data being stored is secure, not accessible by the private sector and not used by the government for unrelated purposes. Currently, 11 of the 16 states involved in the pilot program have decided to no longer participate. Virginia has also played no role in the pilot program. Be assured that I will continue to keep your comments in mind should this issue be debated in Congress during the coming year.
Please feel free to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/moran that contains information on topics that may be of interest. Thank you again for contacting me.
Yours truly,
James P. Moran
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