We live in difficult times and balancing our country’s need for security with our need to maintain an open and free democracy can at times be challenging, but it’s only commonsense that we ensure that Ohio’s taxpayer dollars are invested in ways that will strengthen both our state and country. Ohio’s hard earned taxpayer dollars should NOT be used to benefit those who would harm us. Investing Ohio’s taxpayer dollars in Iran is risky and it’s wrong-and it must be stopped.

As to the question, “Does Iran pose a genuine threat to our nation’s security?” The answer to that question is absolutely-YES. According to news reports, just months after September 11th, chants of “Death to America” resounded through out Iran during a demonstration in which demonstrators burned the American Flag. USA Today reported that in Iran, “Shouts of ‘Death to America!’ rang out in the conservative-dominated parliament after lawmakers voted to advance the nation's nuclear program...". So much for Iran’s claim of wanting a nuclear program for peaceful purposes only. Since then Americans have seen numerous, hate filled news reports from Iran in which demonstrators chant “Death to America” over and over again. The question has never been, “Does Iran pose a threat to our country?” The question has always been and continues to be, “What should we do about it?”

There are some who would say that this issue is a national issue and that it is Congress’s responsibility to deal with it. However as Moms, we feel that the safety and security of our children is not just Washington’s responsibility-it is our responsibility. After all, they are our children. However it is also the responsibility of our state's legislators, for they have been elected to serve and protect all of Ohio’s children.

Think for a moment what would have happened if our Founding Fathers had decided that establishing a free nation was not “their responsibility”. We would not exist. There would be no “land of the free and home of the brave to protect”. Consider also that the Constitution begins with “We The People”. “We the people” means each and every American citizen. The truth is that the safety and security of our nation is the responsibility of each and every American, not just those who happen to be in Washington. For you see, it is not by accident that our nation, a nation of free people, has not only survived but succeeded.

We have succeeded as a nation because those that came before us were willing to selflessly sacrifice whatever it took to give their children a future guided by the light of liberty, grounded in the strength of their convictions, and secured by the determination and courage of their fellow citizens. How then, can we do less for our own children?

Sadly before the start of WWII, we faced a similar threat, but we failed to act. Winston Churchill referred to it as the “Gathering Storm”. Because we failed to act, millions died and millions more suffered. Iran poses a grave and growing threat to the future of the ones we love the most, our children. While we may not yet be able to agree as to what steps should be taken to deal with that threat, we ought to at least be able to agree that we should not use the hard earned tax dollars of Ohio’s families to support a country that would harm us. For if we can not agree on at least that, then I truly fear for the future of our country, and for our children.

A great statesman once said that the “only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”. The decision is now in the hands of Ohio's legislators. As a Mom, I hope that our Statehouse will stand together and support HB 151. I hope they will show our state, indeed; show our nation that we are not afraid to act. I hope they will show our children that they will not fund those who would harm them. And perhaps most of all, I hope they will show our nation and Ohio’s families that when it comes to protecting our children’s future- they will take the lead.