[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HEZBOLLAH IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my concern about the 
presence of Hezbollah in the Western Hemisphere.
  In the Homeland Security Committee, we've heard from experts who 
testified that Hezbollah, which is a terrorist proxy for Iran, Syria, 
and Venezuela, has an active membership in 14 North American cities, 
including Toronto, which is 90 miles from my western New York home.
  Some dismiss this concern by saying that their activities are limited 
to fundraising. This is not comforting.
  Madam Speaker, I have joined with my colleague, Jeff Duncan, to 
introduce H.R. 3783, the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act. 
Our legislation would call for the State Department to investigate 
Hezbollah's presence in the Western Hemisphere and to create a long-
term strategy for keeping our communities and our Nation safe.
  Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to say that this bipartisan legislation 
was unanimously passed in the subcommittee. As this bill moves through 
the House, I urge my colleagues to support our legislation to combat 
this growing threat.

                          ____________________