[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 52 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IRAN FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 282, the 
Iran Freedom Support Act, which has 360 bipartisan cosponsors who 
represent approximately 216 million Americans.
  Following continued Iranian threats to develop and deploy nuclear 
weapons, increasing evidence that Tehran is interfering with 
stabilization efforts in Iraq, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's denial 
of the Holocaust and comments that Israel should be wiped off the map, 
and ongoing Iranian support of international terrorist organizations 
such as Hezbollah, it is time for the United States to take concrete 
steps to hold Iran accountable for its actions.
  I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 282 because I feel it is a priority to 
ensure that Iran is not abusing the basic rights of its people, 
endangering the well-being of its neighbors, or destabilizing the 
region. H.R. 282 strengthens existing United States sanctions against 
Iran, authorizes support to democratic reformers within Iran, and calls 
for American investors to divest their holdings of companies invested 
in Iran's energy sector. The legislation is designed to deny Iran the 
necessary funds to advance its quest for nuclear weapons.
  Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and 
has foresworn acquiring nuclear weapons. Yet, it operated a clandestine 
nuclear program for nearly two decades before it was exposed in 2002.
  Iran's continued behavior has led to the decision by the 
International Atomic Energy Agency to report Iran to the United Nations 
Security Council. Late last month, the Security Council issued a 
unanimous statement reiterating calls by the IAEA and members of the 
international community for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment 
efforts and permit U.N. inspectors to reenter Iranian nuclear 
facilities. Now the United States Congress must use every diplomatic 
and economic tool at its disposal to address this situation.
  While Iran must be held accountable for its actions, I will be 
demanding that the President of the United States seek the consent of 
Congress before any military plans are considered. There is no military 
solution to resolving this conflict. The only solution is to use 
diplomacy, work with the international community, and promote change in 
Iran from within.
  Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons threatens the stability of the 
entire Middle East and could spark a dangerous and unprecedented 
nuclear arms race. I urge all of my colleagues to act now and support 
H.R. 282.

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