[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4716-H4721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ANNIVERSARY OF DISPUTED IRANIAN
ELECTIONS
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1457) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives on the one-year anniversary of the Government of Iran's
fraudulent manipulation of Iranian elections, the Government of Iran's
continued denial of human rights and democracy to the people of Iran,
and the Government of Iran's continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons
capability.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1457
Whereas Iran's authoritarian system of government violates
numerous international norms and principles of democratic
governance;
Whereas June 12, 2009, was the date scheduled for Iranian
presidential elections, in which only candidates approved by
the Government of Iran's Guardian Council were allowed to
compete;
Whereas the ensuing announcement by Iranian authorities of
an ``overwhelming victory'' for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was made
suspiciously early;
Whereas reported vote counts in the June 12, 2009, election
were inconsistent with Iranian demographics and political
trends, including provinces in which more votes were
allegedly cast than the number of registered voters and vote
counts that indicated unusual pro-Ahmadinejad voting patterns
by traditionally anti-Ahmadinejad constituencies;
Whereas the Government of Iran's unrealistic vote count and
fraudulent announcement of election results prompted millions
of Iranians to rush into the streets in protest and prompted
unprecedented public criticism by Iranians of the
authoritarian rulers of the Government of Iran;
[[Page H4717]]
Whereas the Government of Iran, Iranian riot police,
members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Basij militias
engaged in a brutal crackdown on the Iranian people in the
aftermath of the disputed presidential election of June 12,
2009, killing, injuring, or imprisoning many Iranians,
stifling freedom of speech, press, and assembly and violating
fundamental human rights;
Whereas, on June 19, 2009, the House of Representatives
overwhelmingly adopted H. Res. 560 which ``(1) expresses its
support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of
freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law; (2)
condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the
Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as
the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic
communication through interference with the Internet and
cellphones; and (3) affirms the universality of individual
rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections'';
Whereas, on June 23, 2009, President Barack Obama denounced
the Government of Iran's crackdown on the Iranian people,
stating that ``The United States and the international
community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the
beatings and imprisonments of the last few days'', that ``I
strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the
American people in mourning each and every innocent life that
is lost'', and that the United States must ``bear witness to
the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a
remarkable opening within Iranian society'';
Whereas, on December 27, 2009, the Shiite Muslim holiday of
Ashura was observed and at least eight Iranian civilians were
killed and hundreds arrested in confrontations with the
Iranian authorities;
Whereas the Government of Iran is violating its
international and constitutional obligations to respect the
human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens by--
(1) using arbitrary or unlawful killings, beatings, rape,
torture, and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or
punishment, including flogging and amputations;
(2) carrying out an increasingly high rate of executions in
the absence of internationally recognized safeguards,
including public executions and executions of juvenile
offenders;
(3) using stoning as a method of execution and maintaining
a high number of persons in prison who continue to face
sentences of execution by stoning;
(4) carrying out arrests, violent repression, and
sentencing of women exercising their right to peaceful
assembly, a campaign of intimidation against women defenders
of human rights, and continuing discrimination against women
and girls;
(5) permitting or carrying out increasing discrimination
and other human rights violations against persons belonging
to religious, ethnic, linguistic, or other minority
communities;
(6) imposing ongoing, systematic, and serious restrictions
of freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom
of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures
of media outlets, arrests of journalists, the censorship of
expression and of the press in newspapers and online forums
such as blogs and websites, as well as blockage or disruption
of Internet-based communications and of mobile phone and text
messaging networks; and
(7) imposing severe limitations and restrictions on freedom
of religion and belief by carrying out arbitrary arrests,
indefinite detentions, and lengthy jail sentences for those
exercising their rights to freedom of religion or belief and
by proposing a mandatory death sentence for apostasy, the
abandoning of one's faith;
Whereas according to the Department of State's Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009, Iran's ``poor
human rights record degenerated during the year . . . the
government severely limited citizens' right to change their
government peacefully through free and fair elections . . .
authorities held political prisoners and intensified a
crackdown against women's rights reformers, ethnic minority
rights activists, student activists, and religious
minorities'';
Whereas hundreds of political prisoners remain imprisoned
by the Government of Iran;
Whereas Ahmad Jannati, who heads the Government of Iran's
powerful Guardian Council, has called for the execution of
more dissidents and protestors, and a senior official of the
Iranian ``judiciary'' has stated that the Government of Iran
will soon execute further dissidents;
Whereas thousands of Iranian citizens have continued to
peacefully and courageously assemble and protest against the
Government of Iran's denial of human rights and democracy to
the people of Iran;
Whereas article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights recognizes that ``(1) Everyone has the right to take
part in the government of his country, directly or through
freely chosen representatives; (2) Everyone has the right of
equal access to public service in his country; (3) The will
of the people shall be the basis of the authority of
government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and
genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal
suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent
free voting procedures'';
Whereas the United States supports the right of the
citizens of Iran to freedom and democratic governance,
including the right to select their political leaders in
free, democratic, and independent elections;
Whereas the Government of Iran is pursuing a nuclear
weapons capability which, if obtained, would usher in a
dangerous new era of instability in the Gulf and the Middle
East, and allow the Government of Iran to act with impunity
in the face of international pressure to cease its dangerous
international behavior and its horrific human rights abuses;
Whereas Iran continues to enrich uranium and carry out
other nuclear activities in violation of United Nations
Security Council Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747
(2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), and 1929 (2010);
Whereas Iran has failed to cooperate with International
Atomic Energy Agency inspectors looking into the possible
military nature of the Iranian nuclear program, including by
denying inspectors access to facilities, people, and
documents; and
Whereas according to the Department of State's Country
Reports on Terrorism, Iran remains ``the most active state
sponsor of terrorism'', continues to provide arms, financing,
training, and other support to Hamas, Hezbollah, and other
groups designated by the United States as foreign terrorist
organizations, in addition to providing lethal support to
violent militants in Iraq and Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reaffirms its support for all Iranian citizens who
courageously struggle for freedom, human rights, civil
liberties, and the protection of the rule of law;
(2) condemns the ongoing violence and human rights abuses
against the people of Iran by the Government of Iran and pro-
government militias, as well as the ongoing government
suppression of independent electronic communication through
interference with the Internet and cell phones;
(3) condemns the Government of Iran's continued pursuit of
a nuclear weapons capability and unconventional weapons and
ballistic missile capabilities, and its use of its nuclear
program to distract attention from its horrific abuses of the
human rights of the Iranian people;
(4) urges the immediate release of all political prisoners
detained by the Government of Iran and the immediate end of
all harassment and violence against the people of Iran by the
Government of Iran and pro-government militias;
(5) reaffirms the universality of individual human and
political rights; and
(6) calls for freedom and democracy for the people of Iran,
including fair, democratic, and independent elections in
Iran.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Costa) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include any extraneous materials on this resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
today, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
House Resolution 1457 expresses the sense of the House of
Representatives on the 1-year anniversary of the Government of Iran's
manipulation of the Iranian elections, the continued denial of human
rights, and their continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.
And I would like to thank my friend, Congressman Judge Poe of Texas,
for joining me in the introduction of this important resolution.
Madam Speaker, just over a year ago, on June 12, 2009, the world
watched as Iran's rulers manipulated and stole an election for their
chosen candidate, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Thousands of Iranians took to
the streets following that sham presidential election that had been
orchestrated for the regime. Following that, we all know what happened.
So we speak in this resolution on the anniversary of that disputed
election result because I believe, and those who are supporting this
resolution believe, that Congress must reaffirm its commitment to
supporting democracy and freedom around the world, including in Iran.
We know that as the street protest continued against the fraudulent
election and it intensified, the Government of Iran, its riot police,
and members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps engaged in a brutal
crackdown on the Iranian people. Sadly, many Iranians were injured,
imprisoned, or killed.
Human rights in Iran, we know, have deteriorated precipitously over
the years since the first election of President Ahmadinejad. But since
that disputed presidential election last year,
[[Page H4718]]
Iran's slide into what is clearly a brutal dictatorship has sharply
accelerated. Iran's Revolutionary Guard, its militia, and its police
arbitrarily arrest thousands of peaceful protesters and dissidents,
including students, women's rights activists, lawyers, and journalists,
in a clear effort to intimidate their critics and stifle dissent. This
regime obviously cannot withstand these critics.
{time} 1420
But as champions of freedom and democracy, the United States must,
must condemn these abuses of this Iranian regime whenever possible as
we witness such actions around the world. It is in our Constitution,
and it is one of the reasons why we still remain a beacon of light
around the world as we stand up for human rights, human rights that
have sadly been abused in Iran by this regime.
But it's not just in our Constitution. In the Koran it states: Help
one another in a righteousness and goodness way. Help not one another
when in sin and aggression.
Clearly, this despotic regime in Iran is engaged in full-time sin and
aggression of its own people. But this quote, of course, is from the
Koran, which is the book of the major religion of the people of Iran.
Yet they violate their own faith in this way.
Madam Speaker, the people of the United States stand behind the
people of Iran, who simply want to live their lives in peace and
freedom, free of the brutal oppression of their government. Let us be
clear: At the end of the day, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is nothing more than
a bully and a dictator. His regime uses every tactic they can to subdue
and terrorize their own people.
And we need to recognize this phony regime for what it is. It's a
killer of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press.
And I believe that when history is written, that the record of this
terrorism regime in the 21st century will compare, sadly, to those same
brutal dictatorships that we witnessed in the 20th century. I am
talking about Hitler, Stalin, Tojo, and Mussolini. That is the level of
despotic dictatorship that we are witnessing today in Iran.
So, therefore, this resolution before us confirms Congress's support
for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom, human rights, and
civil liberties. It condemns the ongoing violence and human rights
abuses against the people of Iran by their government, and it urges
immediate release of all political prisoners detained by this regime.
House Resolution 1457 also calls for freedom and democracy for the
people of Iran, including fair, democratic, and independent elections,
unlike the ones that were held a year ago. Finally, this resolution
condemns the Government of Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons
capability and a ballistic missiles program, for clearly we know what
they are intended for.
This is especially timely, Madam Speaker, since later this week the
House is expected to vote on the conference committee report H.R. 2194.
We hope by the end of this week, certainly by next week. The Iran
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 is an important
measure. I am proud to be a conferee on the conference committee. This
piece of legislation represents, I think, a monumental step toward our
fight against Iran's nuclear proliferation. These sanctions reinforce
and go far beyond the enacted United Nations sanctions aimed at
persuading Iran to change its conduct that was voted on over a week
ago.
These tough new petroleum and financial sanctions will restrict the
ability of Iran's regime and its thugs to continue their nuclear
aspirations and their oppression of the Iranian people. The legislation
also increases penalties for sanction violations and bolsters the U.S.
trade embargo against Iran. These sanctions will send a strong signal
that our Nation will not stand for the escalation of this regime's aims
at a nuclear arms program, especially with violent threats against our
strategic ally Israel, and the threat of that ally and its impact
throughout the regions of Europe and Southeast Asia, along with the
Middle East.
Clearly, their medium-range missiles are capable of reaching all of
those countries within that area, and, therefore, we stand with Israel
and our allies. These sanctions are a powerful step forward. We must
continue to take all necessary actions and to keep every option on the
table to prevent nuclear arms races in that region.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this important
resolution and to send a strong message to Iran and the entire world
that America will not stand by while these human rights abuses continue
and they continue to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to
the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, an esteemed member of our
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the coauthor of this resolution before
us.
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from Florida
for yielding. I also want to thank my friend from California (Mr.
Costa) for introducing this Resolution 1457, and I am proud to be a
cosponsor of this important resolution.
The people of Iran are under the oppression of the little fellow from
the desert, Ahmadinejad. And the little fella claimed that he won the
election last year, but the whole world knows, including he, that he
stole the election in Iran. The people of Iran want democracy, they
want freedom, and so they took to the streets opposing the little
fella. And what did he do? He retaliated. He used his henchmen, his
goon squad to come out and brutalize his own people, who were unarmed
but yet taking to the streets wanting freedom and a legitimate
election. He injured them; he beat them; he hung them, and he shot
them, peaceful Iranians wanting freedom and democracy.
But the folks of Iran were not going to be intimidated by the crimes
committed against them in their pursuit for freedom and a free
election, so they have continued to speak out. By continuing to speak
out, of course, more of them get arrested. As my friend from California
mentioned, it includes everybody: Women and children, lawyers and
journalists. They are all arrested, brutalized, and some are killed in
the name of keeping the little fella, Ahmadinejad, in power in Iran.
This past week in Paris, France, 100,000 people, mainly Iranians,
marched in support of freedom and democracy for their homeland in Iran.
And it's important that we in America let everybody know where we stand
when it comes to freedom versus tyranny, freedom versus a dictatorship,
that we stand by the people of the nation who want self-determination
and freedom.
The Iranians kind of wonder where we stand as a Nation. They are
concerned because, you see, they get their government-controlled media
and it tells them one thing, that the United States is not supportive.
So we need to make it clear to them that we do support them. And they
don't want weapons. They don't want armament. They don't want even
money. They just want to know that this country, the center and hope
for the world when it comes to human rights and democracy, stands with
the people, the people of Iran in their quest to control their own
destiny and control their own government.
There is no freedom in Iran as long as this regime is in power and
Ahmadinejad continues to be the dictator, the tyrant of the desert who
threatens to destroy not only our ally Israel, but destroy the West as
soon as he can get his hands on those nuclear weapons.
He needs to go. His time has come. It needs to go. And the way that
that can happen is when the people of Iran take control of their own
country. The best hope for the Iranians, the best hope for the world,
Madam Speaker, is for a regime change in Iran by the people of Iran. So
we should support that endeavor. We should tell those freedom-loving
folks, those sons of liberty, those daughters of democracy, that we in
America, halfway around the world, who believe in liberty and believe
in democracy and believe in freedom, we stand with them. We support
them morally, and we support them because they have the right to
determine their own destiny.
Our quarrel as a Nation is not with the people of Iran. Our quarrel
is with this dictator, this tyrant, the little fellow from the desert
who wants to destroy his own nation and the rest of the world as well.
[[Page H4719]]
{time} 1430
So I support this resolution and I want to compliment the gentleman
from California (Mr. Costa) for bringing this to the floor.
And that's just the way it is.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe)
for his good remarks, as always.
I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada
(Ms. Berkley).
Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from
California (Mr. Costa). We have worked on many issues, this being one
of the most important, and I thank him for yielding some time to me.
It has been 1 year since Ahmadinejad and his thugs stole the election
in Iran. The world watched with shock as 1 million Iranians took to the
streets of Tehran to protest the so-called results of the sham
election, and dismay as the protesters were cruelly squelched. The
world was horrified as we watched a beautiful Iranian woman killed in
the prime of her life as she peacefully protested the election results.
I stand with the people of Iran as they protest the continued denial
of human rights and democracy by their illegal government. Iran's
government is on a very dangerous path. They are the state sponsors of
terrorism across the planet. They are the main sponsors of Hamas, and
we watch Hamas cruelly treat the Palestinian people in the Gaza like
animals more than people. We know that the Iranians are supporting
Hezbollah in Lebanon and transporting weapons to them that could be
used against Israel. We watch as they infiltrate South America through
Venezuela, trying to spread their tentacles of hate and terrorism
across the planet. We have a very serious problem with Iran. They will
not join the family of civilized countries that are trying to improve
this world. Quite the contrary. They are the main obstacle to peace
everywhere.
In addition to their exporting of terrorism and supporting of
terrorist organizations, the threat to wipe Israel off the map, what is
this dangerous country doing? It is attempting to acquire nuclear
weapons with all deliberate speed. When there is a president of a rogue
nation that is supporting terrorism and terrorists across the planet,
that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel, that talks
with great disparagement about western civilization, particularly the
United States of America, when a country like this is attempting to
acquire nuclear weapons, it is time for the world to wake up and
recognize that they say what they mean, they mean what they say, and
the Iranian Government must be stopped at all costs.
I stand with the Iranian people. I support them and I thank them for
having the courage to stand up to their own government. It is not easy
to do when you know if you stand up, chances are you will be killed. I
thank them very much for doing that, and I thank the gentleman from
California (Mr. Costa) for bringing this to our attention through this
resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, in discussions about the Iranian regime's pursuit of a
nuclear weapons program, or its state sponsorship of violent
extremists, the persecution that the thugs in Tehran inflict on
ordinary Iranians, that is sometimes overlooked. This is particularly
true on the international stage.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned the democratic
Jewish State of Israel over and over again for defending herself, but
has not once condemned the Iranian regime's brutality against the
Iranian people.
Iran, a regime that stones women to death, was elected by acclamation
to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Let me repeat that
again; it is so absurd, it is almost incomprehensible. It is
incomprehensible. Iran, a regime that stones women to death, was
elected by acclamation to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women.
This is a Kafkaesque scenario.
So it is all the more important that we in this House stand in
solidarity with the Iranian people and with all of those who support
and defend human rights, support and defend democracy, support and
defend freedom. We must also be clear and steadfast in describing and
condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, of which there are
many.
Those in power in Tehran practice torture, flogging, rape,
amputation, and murder. The regime conducts systematic, official
discrimination against women, Baha'is, Christians, Jews, dissident
Muslims, and many others. No one is exempt.
All seven members of the national Baha'i leadership in Iran remain in
prison, where they have been held unjustly for 2 years and are on trial
for trumped-up charges that potentially carry the death penalty. Gay
people are hanged from cranes, even as their very existence in Iran is
denied by Ahmadinejad.
Since the sham ``elections''--using the term loosely--1 year ago, the
regime has intensified its repression, increasing restrictions on the
freedom of religion, expression, association, assembly and the press.
What is left?
Thousands of protesters, dissidents, journalists have been
arbitrarily detained or killed, with innocent people shot on the
street, and the Stalinesque show-trials continue.
Even Iranians who succeed in fleeing their country are reportedly
still in danger as agents of the Iranian regime threaten with death if
they continue to speak out and protest human rights violations by
Tehran.
Despite this repression, the people of Tehran continue to put their
lives on the line in pursuit of freedom, and the United States and
other responsible nations must stand with them. There are many further
steps we can take to help at this critical time. Above all, we must do
no harm. Negotiation with the regime legitimizes its illegitimate
leaders and distracts attention from their repressive acts.
We must hit the regime where it hurts by fully implementing sanctions
targeting the regime's vulnerabilities, both existing sanctions and the
new ones that Congress will soon enact. The same refined petroleum
products and other petro-dollars that bankrolled the regime's weapons
program also bankrolled its repression of human rights. Requiring the
immediate implementation and enforcement of comprehensive sanctions can
help stop both of these threats.
We must also support those who seek human rights for Iran and monitor
abuses, such as the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, which has
actually seen its funding cut. And as the beacon of liberty and
democracy to the entire world, the United States must do our duty to
name and shame the guilty. Because we must take an all-of-the-above
approach to this issue, I introduced H.R. 4649, the bipartisan Iran
Human Rights Sanctions Act which was introduced in the Senate by John
McCain and Joe Lieberman. That legislation requires the President to
designate and sanction those who violate the human rights of Iranians.
I am gratified that some versions of this bill will be included in the
Iran sanctions conference report that Congress will soon consider.
And given the importance of human rights for the Iranian people and
worldwide, I am proud to strongly support the resolution before us
today, H. Res. 1457. This resolution marks the 1-year anniversary of
the Iranian people's mass uprising against the regime's fraud,
manipulation, and repression; and it also condemns the regime's
brutality.
Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms our support for all Iranians
who courageously struggle for freedom. It urges the immediate release
of all political prisoners and calls for freedom and democracy for the
people of Iran, including fair, democratic and independent elections.
I would like to thank the authors of this resolution, distinguished
members of our Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from California
(Mr. Costa) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). This legislation
builds on a resolution that Judge Poe introduced 6 months ago, as well
as a resolution introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Texas
(Mr. McCaul). I appreciate the long-standing efforts of all of these
Members on this important issue.
Ultimately, the purpose of this resolution reflects the words of
Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, words that
are salient to
[[Page H4720]]
any discussion on the status of human rights in Iran under that brutal
regime: ``We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor,
never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the
tormented.''
{time} 1440
With these words in mind, we must take sides. We must act together in
support of the people of Iran. I urge my colleagues to support this
important resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I, too, want to thank my friend and
colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her
strong bipartisan comments on a resolution that there is strong
bipartisan support for, as witnessed by the statements here this
afternoon.
Make no mistake about it, Madam Speaker, and to those who are
listening. This resolution is about human rights violations in Iran.
This resolution is about the despotic, sham regime that is currently
governing in Iran that is oppressing the people of that country. This
resolution speaks to the higher values and goals that are enshrined in
our country's Constitution and Bill of Rights, those freedoms that we
hold most dear, that are at the end of the day the basis for all human
rights, not just in our country but throughout the world.
Therefore, today, the Congress must speak to these human rights
violations that are existing in Iran. Today, the Congress must voice
its opinion on the despotic rule of this regime, and by passing this
resolution in a bipartisan fashion, we will not only put the House of
Representatives firmly on record as to the year anniversary of the sham
election that took place in Iran, but we will also reiterate our strong
support for sanctions against this country that, in fact, is violating
these human rights and that is turning its back on the rest of the
world.
Make no mistake about it. The Iranian Government today, not its
people but the Iranian Government today, is, in my view, the largest
concern not only in the Middle East but throughout the world in terms
of achieving peace that we all hold most dear. The goals of peace in
the Middle East and throughout the world are at greatest risk by the
actions and the activities and the supports of terrorist activities by
this Iranian regime, whether it be to Hezbollah, whether it be to
Hamas, or whether it be to other terrorist groups that it supports in
so many different ways because they know at the end of the day they
cannot support the family of nations throughout the world in expressing
freedoms that we hold most dear.
So I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
resolution. I want to thank the Chairman and commend Mr. Costa and Mr.
Poe for their work on the resolution.
The anniversary of the uprising of the Iranian people to secure their
democratic rights is a solemn occasion. The images from last year of
ordinary Iranians showing unbelievable courage in challenging the
ruthless and vicious theocracy that controls Iran resonated powerfully
with Americans. Recalling the late 1980s and the collapse of Communism,
many have begun to hope that this wholly indigenous movement, by virtue
of its own success, and entirely for its own reasons, will throw on to
the ash-heap of history the brutal, irresponsible, and vicious regime
of the mullahs.
I don't think any one believes the current leadership of the Islamic
Republic of Iran will go quietly or easily into retirement. And I think
it would be foolish to assume that a reformed Iranian government would
automatically be very friendly to the United States, or be less
committed to the pursuit of its own national interests. But there is
good reason to think that a different Iranian government, one that was
truly answerable to the aspirations of the Iranian people, would
transform the politics of the Middle East, dramatically change the
global struggle against violent Islamic extremism and, potentially,
salvage the global non-proliferation regime.
But as we think about how we can aid the Green Movement, I believe we
need to be especially careful and thoughtful. There is, unfortunately,
a painful history of American intervention in Iranian affairs, and we
should, at the very least, have some humility about our ability to
competently shape highly politicized and dynamic events in other
nations.
Iran is a sovereign state whose people are struggling bravely for
their own freedom. It is natural and right for us to want to support
their struggle. The question is how? It seems to me that our first
obligation is ``to do no harm.'' And our second obligation is to
recognize that we are not a doctor, and Iran is not a patient.
With these caveats, I believe there are some important things that we
can and should do; all of which can be done publicly and outside of
Iran. First, as we are doing today, we must continue to let the people
of Iran know that we have not forgotten them or their struggle for
freedom. Second, we must continue to bear witness to vicious crimes the
Iranian regime is perpetrating against its own citizens. A government
at war with its own citizens is illegitimate by definition. Third, we
and other nations truly committed to universal human rights must
continue to highlight Iran's absolutely illegitimate and immoral
behavior in international forums and in the United Nations. The Iranian
regime's behavior can not be denied and it can not be excused.
Finally, and most critically, we absolutely must prevent Iran from
acquiring the capability to produce nuclear weapons. For the sake of
the people in Iran, for the sake of the people in the Middle East, for
the sake of our allies in Israel, and for our own vital national
security interests, Iran's nuclear ambitions absolutely must not be
allowed to succeed.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my
support for H.R. 1457, which recognizes the one-year anniversary of the
Government of Iran's deceitful manipulation of Iranian elections and
the Government's continued violation of Iranian citizens' democracy and
their human rights.
One year ago, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected to become the
President of Iran in an unfair and manipulated election. Since then,
this date, the Iranian regime, run by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has
continually violated the human rights of innocent Iranian citizens,
brutally beating back popular demonstrations against Mr. Ahmadinejad's
election. This resolution is necessary and desperately important to
show the world that the United States does not condone oppression and
supports the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and democracy.
Our country has always prided itself on the human rights our own
citizens enjoy. I believe we should strive to protect and champion the
freedoms of people the world over. Unrestricted arrests of innocent
individuals, killing of citizens who oppose the government, and extreme
oppression of women, all common acts by the Iranian regime, that must
be stopped. There needs to be a continued strong disapproving stance
taken by our nation towards the destructive and unfair way that the
Iranian regime treats its people.
As a member of the Armed Services committee, I take this matter very
seriously and see the continued reign of the Iranian regime as a
national security threat not only to our nation at home, but also to
our armed forces abroad. I urge my colleagues to stand with the Iranian
people to support this important resolution.
Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of, H. Res 1457,
the Resolution on the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2009 Iranian
Elections. Though one year has passed since the widely contested
elections, the stain of Iran's government and its callous disregard for
human rights continues to run through the streets of its cities.
Although the protests of courageous voters have been violently crushed
by the regime, the Iranian people remain proud and steadfast in their
belief that this electoral atrocity will one day transition to dying
authoritarianism and the birth of a democratic Iran.
The Iranian electoral system does not reflect the ideals of democracy
held by the vast majority of other nations in the world, but rather
demonstrates the desperation of a despotic regime clinging to power
under the guise of fair elections.
For the June 12, 2009 elections, candidates had to be pre-approved by
the Government of Iran's Guardian Council, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
victory announcement was made prematurely, and the final vote tallies
were inconsistent with the demographics of the nation, the number of
registered voters, and common sense.
Those who protested the elections had their rights of free speech
brutally denied, and were beaten, jailed, injured, and killed. The
Iranian regime has spilled the blood of its own citizens in the streets
to maintain its illegitimate hold on power. We were all heartstruck to
the see the death of Neda Agha-Soltan broadcast across the globe. It is
now up to the nations who stand for democracy and freedom to support
the courageous protesters in Iran.
Furthermore, following the failed Iranian elections in June, the
Iranian regime has had its legitimacy wounded and its paranoia
increased. The regime has taken a posture of increased repression at
home and antagonism abroad. In that dangerous environment, Israel's
leaders have every right to be concerned for their country's safety.
While hope still exists for a free Iran, Europe, Israel and the United
States must undoubtedly prepare
[[Page H4721]]
for a more dangerous Iranian regime in the near-term.
We must be ready for the possibility that Iran will intensify its
pursuit of nuclear weapons to overcome the embarrassment of the recent
elections.
For this reason, I applaud the House Foreign Affairs Committee and
the Senate Banking Committee on yesterday's announcement that they had
reached an agreement on the Iran sanctions conference report agreement.
This long-awaited sanctions package is absolutely necessary to persuade
Iran to change its conduct and its course on its nuclear program.
Madam Speaker, I urge the House of Representatives to condemn the
authoritarian Iranian regime and to stand with the millions of Iranians
who rushed to the streets not only to defend their right to vote, but
also to defend the very ideals of democracy and free and fair
societies. I call on my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1457.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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