[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 180 (Saturday, December 5, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S12516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           AMERICAN HOSTAGES

  Mr. FRANKEN. Madam President, I rise today to talk about Shane Bauer, 
Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal. These three young Americans have been in 
custody in Iran since July 31, 2009. That is more than 4 months.
  Shane is from Minnesota, where his devoted mother, Cindy Hickey, 
still lives. I have been in constant and close touch with Cindy over 
the phone, and last month I was able to meet with all the families of 
the young hikers, and they have been back in Washington again this 
week. I have to say, they are a remarkable group of people who want 
nothing more than to be reunited with their children. On behalf of 
their families, I have come to the floor today to urge the Government 
of Iran to make a humanitarian gesture and release these young 
Americans so they can be together with their families again.
  As many of you know, Josh, Sarah, and Shane were hiking near the 
Iraqi-Iranian border in a remote region that is famous for a beautiful 
waterfall when they were taken into custody by Iranian authorities. The 
Iranians have indicated that the Americans strayed across the border in 
this remote region. There can be no doubt that it was an accident. Four 
months later, Josh, Sarah, and Shane remain in prison in Iran.
  The Iranian Government has allowed the Swiss Embassy, in its capacity 
as protection power for U.S. interests in Iran, to have consular access 
to them twice during the time they have been held. I hope this will 
continue, and continue more regularly.
  The Swiss have been enormously helpful in working with us to resolve 
the situation to bring these Americans home. I have been assured by one 
of the Swiss that Josh, Sarah, and Shane were all in decent physical 
condition as of the last visit. But it is also clear the imprisonment 
is taking its toll on these young people.

  The President of Iran has indicated that their case will be examined 
expeditiously and with compassion, which is encouraging. President 
Ahmedinejad first made that statement around the time the U.N. General 
Assembly met this past September.
  These young American tourists find themselves in unfortunate 
circumstances. One thing is clear: These circumstances do and should 
have nothing to do with politics. I hope that Josh, Sarah, and Shane's 
situation can be resolved on the same basis--as purely a human gesture 
by the Government of Iran. I understand that people on all sides tend 
to get caught in the middle of geopolitical events they have nothing to 
do with. That is a cycle that can and should be stopped. We do not want 
to perpetuate that cycle. Above all, I hope the Iranian Government will 
recognize that these Americans have committed nothing more than an 
innocent mistake and want nothing more than to be brought back together 
with their families. The Americans should be released.
  In the meantime, I hope Josh, Sarah, and Shane will be able to speak 
with their families by phone immediately. That would be the first 
direct contact they have had since their detention over 4 months ago.
  As we approach the holiday season and the end of the year, this is an 
especially important time for families to be together. That is not an 
American value or an Iranian value, it is a human value. It is my 
fervent hope that Josh, Sarah, and Shane will be brought back together 
with their families now. I urge the Government of Iran to make a 
humanitarian gesture and make that family reunion possible.

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