[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 59 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 59

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the 
 people of Iran and their legitimate quest for freedom and friendship 
     with the people of the United States, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 5, 2003

 Mr. Ney (for himself, Mr. Gutknecht, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Cunningham, and 
Mr. Gibbons) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the 
 people of Iran and their legitimate quest for freedom and friendship 
     with the people of the United States, and for other purposes.

Whereas the first day of spring, celebrated by millions worldwide as Nowruz--the 
        Persian (Iranian) New Year--symbolizes renewal, birth, and new 
        beginnings;
Whereas throughout history the world has seen the power of one simple idea: when 
        given a choice, people will choose freedom;
Whereas all people are endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the 
        pursuit of happiness;
Whereas the American people respect the Iranian people and value the 
        contribution that Iran's culture has made to world civilization over 
        four millennia;
Whereas the people of Iran spontaneously gathered in the streets after the 
        terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, to stand 
        in peaceful solidarity with the American people and reiterated their 
        desire for a dialogue and improved relations with the United States;
Whereas the people of Iran aspire to democracy, civil, political, and religious 
        rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas the people of Iran are seeking freedom by non-violent means by choosing 
        the ballot over the bullet;
Whereas in four consecutive elections, the Iranian people have opted for 
        nonviolent reform;
Whereas the vast majority of the people of Iran voted for political and economic 
        reform, yet their voices are being ignored by the unelected rulers;
Whereas Iranian students have held numerous peaceful demonstrations against the 
        death sentence of the reformist professor Hashem Aghajari;
Whereas talented students and professionals, faced with the dual specter of too 
        few jobs and too many restrictions on their freedom, continue to seek 
        opportunities abroad rather than help build Iran's future at home;
Whereas despite the slow pace of reform, Iranian student leaders have stated in 
        the United States media that they ``will continue to seek political 
        evolution, one that is without violence, and gradual, but certainly no 
        less determined in its democratic aspirations'';
Whereas there exists a broad-based movement and desire for political change in 
        Iran that represents all sectors of Iranian society, including youth, 
        women, students, military personnel, and religious figures, and that is 
        pro-democratic movement that seeks freedom and economic opportunity;
Whereas some elected members of Iran's parliament have expressed a willingness 
        to conduct a dialogue with Members of the United States House of 
        Representatives;
Whereas the future of Iran must be decided by the people of Iran without outside 
        interference; and
Whereas the people of Iran deserve the support of the United States in their 
        quest for liberty, as defined by the people of Iran: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to 
        the courageous people of Iran for their brave expressions of 
        support following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United 
        States;
            (2) recognizes and supports the people of Iran in their 
        daily struggle for democracy, reform, self-determination, human 
        rights, economic prosperity, and the rule of law;
            (3) supports the notion that as the people of Iran move 
        toward a future defined by greater freedom and tolerance, they 
        will have a no better friend than the United States; and
            (4) urges the President to engage with and express support 
        for the Iranian people's domestic movement for democracy and 
        reform and their legitimate aspiration for freedom and 
        democracy.
                                 <all>