[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FREEDOM FOR BOB LEVINSON

  Mr. NELSON. Madam President, I rise today to remind this body of the 
plight of a missing person and the suffering of his family.
  On March 8, 2007, retired FBI agent Bob Levinson traveled to the 
Iranian island of Kish on a business trip. From what we know, he 
checked into his hotel, checked out on March 9, got into a taxi, and 
then disappeared.
  This week marks the sixth year of his disappearance, making Bob one 
of the longest held or missing Americans in history.
  And for Bob's wife Christine and their seven children, it's been 6 
years of excruciating suffering. Bob's safe return remains their 
highest priority--as it must for the U.S. Government as well.
  With the assistance of the U.S. Department of State, we continue to 
receive word that Bob is alive and remains in captivity somewhere in 
Southwest Asia.
  Yet the Government of Iran continues to provide next to nothing in 
terms of real assistance. Given Iran's resources and capabilities in 
the region, they could be doing so much more to help reunite Bob with 
his family.
  I remain convinced that our two countries share the same goal: 
finally putting to rest all the speculation behind Bob's disappearance 
by safely getting him back to Florida where he belongs.
  Today I rise to implore all parties to view this as a humanitarian 
case that transcends the differences between the United States and 
Iran. We must all redouble our efforts to bring Bob home.

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