[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 MARZIEH

                                 ______


                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 18, 1995

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Marzieh, legendary singer of Iran. The news media has reported the 
smashing success of Marzieh, grande dame of Iranian music, at her 
concert in California on September 30. You will recall that Marzieh 
began her tour of the United States with a brief stop in Washington, 
where many members, including myself, had the great pleasure of meeting 
her at a reception and dinner here on the hill. The sellout crowd of 
over 3,000 at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre gave her a tremendous 
welcome and one after another of her songs prompted standing ovations.
  Marzieh is, of course, renowned among her people not only for her 
tremendous talent and career, spanning half a century, but for her 
commitment to democracy and human rights in her troubled homeland, 
Iran. The civil rights movement in this country was sustained with 
freedom songs and songs of praise. Marzieh has brought a new voice for 
Iran, a voice which has helped to preserve Persian musical traditions, 
and a voice which now lends itself to the battle for freedom and 
justice in Iran.
  Just as the freedom songs of the 1960's carried the message of the 
civil rights movement, Marzieh's melodic tones will carry the message 
of the resistance against the repressive regime in Iran. At 71, Marzieh 
is already a musical icon, but with her courageous decision last year 
to leave her oppressed homeland after 15 years of silence and meet with 
the Iranian Resistance's President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, in Paris, 
she has become much more: A true champion of her people. As Mrs. 
Rajavi's advisor on the arts and culture, I am sure that Marzieh will 
play a significant role in reviving the world renowned legacy of 
Persian art and music.
  I send Marzieh my congratulations on her great success on the west 
coast, and my best wishes on her continuing work on behalf of the 
National Council of Resistance of Iran.

                          ____________________