July 23, 2002

Dear Patrick Leahy, Representative Cummings, Senator Mikulski, and Senator Sarbanes,

I am writing to express my support for the letter written by Representatives Conyers and Sensenbrenner urging public review of the USA Patriot Act (USAPA). The letter is available at here.

USAPA was passed in the tumultuous weeks after September 11th and is the most expansive grant of new law enforcement powers in recent history. I encourage you to read and support the Conyers/Sensenbrenner letter.

As a citizen concerned with both civil liberties and national security, I support the letter's call for Congress to evaluate the effectiveness and implications of these new powers. For instance, I am eager to learn how lowering the bar to access library and bookstore records (Section 215) and using foreign intelligence surveillance techniques on U.S. citizens (Sections 206 & 218) have helped the Department of Justice fight terrorism.

Further, I support the Conyers/Sensenbrenner letter's plan for public hearings. It is my belief that good government not only responds to crises, but rigorously and publicly examines those responses to ensure that their implementation has not strayed from their intent.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Rob Carlson
2600 North Calvert St.
Baltimore, MD 21218

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