March 6, 2000

The Honorable Richard Danzig
Secretary of the Navy
The Pentagon
Washington, DC  20350

Dear Secretary Danzig:

I am distressed by new revelations that the United States Navy is planning to prosecute a young enlisted man based at Gulfport, Mississippi, for his refusal to take the ill-advised anthrax shot. I am particularly concerned over allegations that the Navy plans to transfer the seaman to Okinawa to conduct a court-martial. It is my understanding that this sailor has requested and been denied access to legal counsel. To whisk him out of the country to conduct a court-martial trial under the cloak of darkness wherehe will have great difficulty retaining civilian counsel is outrageous.  I request that you investigate this matter and provide me with an explanation of the Navy's actions.  I also request that David Ponder, the aforementioned sailor, remain in Mississippi. 

As the Government Reform Committee prepares to approve a report later this week calling for the suspension of the mandatory anthrax vaccine immunization program, I find it hard to believe that the Defense Department continues to take such punitive measures against individuals who have legitimate concerns about the safety of this program.  As this person is scheduled to leave March 12, please provide this information by March 9. 

Sincerely,

/s/
Dan Burton
Chairman