(FORT HOOD, TEXAS) – America should pause to remember those killed and wounded one year ago in the terror attack on Fort Hood, and recognize that sacrifice with a renewed commitment to assist and honor the casualties and their families, and to prevent similar future attacks, according to Congressman John Carter, who represents the Fort Hood area in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Carter, who is also Co-Chairman of the House Army Caucus and Secretary of the House Republican Conference, says the ongoing trial of Major Nidal Hasan for the Fort Hood shootings one year ago is just one of many issues still not resolved.  The victims have still not received the treatment and status they deserve, the military has not acknowledged the nature and causes of the attack, and there is numerous security improvements still needed to prevent future attacks.  

Carter says radical Islamic terrorism has still not been acknowledged as the cause of the Fort Hood shootings which left 14 Americans dead, and the Department of Defense must not allow political correctness to continue to skew its policies on force protection.

“It has been a year since the terror attack on Fort Hood, and DOD still refuses to even use the words ‘radical Islam’ in their report on the attack or recommendations on how to prevent future attacks,” says Carter.  “That does not instill confidence in Congress that DOD is taking the necessary steps to protect our troops.”

Carter, a former Texas judge, has introduced legislation authorizing the same status for Fort Hood victims as that awarded casualties of the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon, and granting whistleblower protections to military and civilian personnel who report potential threats from radical Islamic sympathizers. 

“The families of the 13 adults and one unborn child who died, along with the wounded, deserve the same treatment as we provided the Pentagon casualties,” says Carter.   “Congress must not rest until these families receive what they deserve.”

Carter also introduced legislation providing “active shooter” training for all military and civilian law enforcement protecting military installations.   Fort Hood officers credit the training with their success in stopping the Fort Hood shooter in an open gunfight.

Carter succeeded in passing a resolution in the House and Senate recognizing the good response of Fort Hood law enforcement and base command in responding to the attack.  The rest of the Carter bills await passage as part of the pending National Defense Authorization Act.