WASHINGTON —
U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin
and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today sent a letter to
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert S. Mueller III thanking the FBI for its rapid response to incidents involving incendiary devices at state government buildings in Maryland.
Senators Mikulski and
Cardin also urged Director Mueller to commit any appropriate additional resources to investigate the crimes.

Senator Cardin is chairman of the Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee and Senator Mikulski is Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the FBI. 

The full text of the letter follows:

Dear Director Mueller:

We are writing to thank you for your rapid response and assistance to the Maryland State Police in the investigations of incidents today involving the explosions of incendiary packages – one of which was addressed to Governor Martin O’Malley – at the Jeffrey Building in Annapolis and the Maryland Department of Transportation headquarters in Hanover, as well as reports of suspicious packages found in Baltimore at the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  We understand that the Bureau, as the lead Federal law enforcement agency involved in the case, has already set up command posts to assist Maryland authorities in securing the sites and starting an investigation.

We are extremely troubled by this apparent attempt to harm the hardworking men and women who serve the people of Maryland.  Marylanders deserve to know that their state government buildings and public officials are safe and free from such attacks.  Should the incidents prove to be acts of terrorism, we ask that you commit the appropriate resources and personnel for the FBI to fully investigate these crimes so that the perpetrators are caught and brought swiftly to justice.

Please let us know if we can help in any way so that you can provide the full assistance of the FBI to investigate this despicable crime.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Barbara A. Mikulski                                                   

United States Senator

Benjamin L. Cardin

United States Senator