[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 40 (Thursday, March 18, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate Nowruz, the 
traditional Iranian New Year, which begins with the arrival of spring 
on the Vernal Equinox. More than 1 million Iranian Americans in the 
United States as well as millions of Iranians and others around the 
world celebrate Nowruz, which embodies the ideals of understanding and 
appreciation of others. Universally, the beginning of spring is 
associated with rebirth.
  At this festive time, when Mother Nature is beginning a new cycle and 
families around the world are gathering to celebrate a new calendar 
year, I would like to appeal to the good will of the Iranian government 
by calling for the immediate release of Joshua Fattal, Sarah Shourd, 
and Shane Bauer. These three young American hikers have spent almost 8 
months in confinement in Iran's Evin prison for allegedly crossing a 
poorly marked border. We are heartened that the Iranians recently 
allowed the three young Americans to call their families for the first 
time since their detention on July 31 last year. Still, we ask at the 
beginning of Persian New Year that Josh, Sarah, and Shane be released 
to celebrate a spring with their desperately concerned parents and 
other family members. Laura Fattal, mother of Josh, recently appealed 
to the Iranian authorities, asking for them ``to show compassion and 
allow our families to be reunited in joy and happiness as well.''
  I would like to recognize the Senators from California and Minnesota, 
as well as Senator Specter, who have worked tirelessly to reunite Josh, 
Sarah, and Shane with their families. I hope that Supreme Leader 
Khamenei, in the spirit of Nowruz, will make the humanitarian gesture 
of immediately releasing Josh, Sarah, and Shane.

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