THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO RIKI ELLISON, PRESIDENT OF THE MISSILE DEFENSE ADVOCACY ALLIANCE IN RESPONSE TO YESTERDAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE THAT THEY PLAN TO DEPLOY A LIMITED MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM THIS SUMMER:

“Over the past three months MDAA has engaged in a dialogue with the American people about the need for a missile defense system to protect and secure our homeland from an attack by a rogue country or terrorist organization. In poll after poll, in Arizona, Missouri, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the American people have made their views known. They want a system deployed and they want it now. The people understand that the threat to this country is real. They also believe a missile defense system is money well spent and that the technology will work.

“MDAA and our members across the country support this decision to protect the public’s safety and deploy a missile defense system without delay.”

Ellison is a former professional football player. He was a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he won three Super Bowls. Continuing a commitment to missile defense that began in college, he has more than 20 years experience advocating, educating and advising on the issue. He founded the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance as a non-profit organization to speak for members throughout the nation who support the deployment of a national missile defense system.