Dear President Obama, Senator Reid, Speaker Pelosi; We, the undersigned, are in agreement with the Lieberman-Graham Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act, which would prohibit the release of photographs, or video, taken between Sept. 11, 2001 and Jan. 22, 2009 and which depicts the alleged abuse of detainees captured by U.S. forces outside the United States. We call on the Secretary of Defense to certify to the President that release of such photos would severely endanger American lives. Releasing photos of prisoner detainees in U.S. custody would greatly increase the physical risks to American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as potentially damage Pakistan's efforts to battle Radical Islamic militants. Furthermore, militant and extremist groups would use those images to foment anti-U.S. sentiment; incite demonstrators to conduct deliberate attacks against U.S. interests, as well as against any Western Non-Governmental Organizations, facilities and personnel. We believe the release of those photographs would not be in America's national security interest and - therefore - should be prohibited by Executive Order, for a minimum of three years; or, until military efforts in the Afghanistan/Iraq/Pakistan region have concluded In addition, it is our contention that releasing those materials would only contribute to the widespread belief within that region that America is waging a war on Islam. The detainee photos could be perceived by the Islamic world as a new injury and insult added upon old misunderstandings. Regardless of political stance or affiliation, ensuring the safety of our military and civilian personnel in the Afghanistan/Iraq/Pakistan region, as well any other area outside the United States is our foremost concern. Therefore, we request that the Senate, Congress and President act in the best interest of those Americans overseas and enact this lifesaving, preventative measure and not release any photos of prisoner detainees in U.S. custody.

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