[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 32 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H1013-H1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CALLING ON GOVERNMENT OF IRAN TO ASSIST IN CASE OF ROBERT LEVINSON

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 148) calling on the Government of Iran to 
fulfill their promises of assistance in this case of Robert Levinson, 
the longest held United States civilian in our Nation's history, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 148

       Whereas United States citizen Robert Levinson is a retired 
     agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a 
     resident of Coral Springs, Florida, the husband of Christine 
     Levinson, and father of their 7 children;
       Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from Dubai, UAE, to Kish 
     Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007;
       Whereas after traveling to Kish Island and checking into 
     the Hotel Maryam, Robert Levinson disappeared on March 9, 
     2007;
       Whereas, in December 2007, Robert Levinson's wife, 
     Christine, traveled to Kish Island to retrace Mr. Levinson's 
     steps and met with officials of the Government of Iran who 
     pledged to help in the investigation;
       Whereas, for more than 8 years, the United States 
     Government has continually pressed the Government of Iran to 
     provide any information on the whereabouts of Robert Levinson 
     and to help ensure his prompt and safe return to his family;
       Whereas officials of the Government of Iran promised their 
     continued assistance to the relatives of Robert Levinson 
     during the visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of 
     Iran in December 2007;
       Whereas, in November 2010, the Levinson family received a 
     video of Mr. Levinson in captivity, representing the first 
     proof of life since his disappearance and providing some 
     initial indications that he was being held somewhere in 
     southwest Asia;
       Whereas, in April 2011, the Levinson family received a 
     series of pictures of Mr. Levinson, which provided further 
     indications that he was being held somewhere in southwest 
     Asia;
       Whereas Secretary John Kerry stated on August 28, 2013, 
     ``The United States respectfully asks the Government of the 
     Islamic Republic of Iran to work cooperatively with us in our 
     efforts to help U.S. citizen Robert Levinson.'';
       Whereas, on September 28, 2013, during the first direct 
     phone conversation between the heads of the Government of the 
     United States and Iran since 1979, President Barack Obama 
     raised the case of Robert Levinson to President of Iran 
     Hassan Rouhani and urged the President of Iran to help locate 
     Mr. Levinson and reunite him with his family;
       Whereas, on August 29, 2014, Secretary of State John Kerry 
     again stated that the United States ``respectfully request 
     the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran work 
     cooperatively with us to find Mr. Levinson and bring him 
     home.'';
       Whereas on July 14, 2015, the Governments of the United 
     States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and 
     Germany concluded 20 months of negotiations with Iran over 
     its nuclear program;
       Whereas, on January 16, 2016, the Government of Iran 
     released five United States citizens detained in Iran, Jason 
     Rezaian of California, Saeed Abedini of Idaho, Amir Mirzaei 
     Hekmati of Michigan, Matthew Trevithick of Massachusetts, and 
     Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari;
       Whereas, on January 17, 2016, President Obama stated ``even 
     as we rejoice in the safe return of others, we will never 
     forget about Bob'', referring to Robert Levinson, and that 
     ``each and every day but especially today our hearts are with 
     the Levinson family and we

[[Page H1014]]

     will never rest until their family is whole again.'';
       Whereas, on January 19, 2016, White House Press Secretary 
     Josh Earnest stated that the United States Government had 
     ``secured a commitment from the Iranians to use the channel 
     that has now been opened to secure the release of those 
     individuals that we know were being held by Iran. . .to try 
     and gather information about Mr. Levinson's possible 
     whereabouts'';
       Whereas, on November 26, 2013, Robert Levinson became the 
     longest held United States hostage in our Nation's history; 
     and
       Whereas the FBI has announced a $5,000,000 reward for 
     information leading to Mr. Levinson's safe return: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes that Robert Levinson is the longest held 
     United States hostage in our Nation's history;
       (2) notes the repeated pledges by and renewed commitment of 
     officials of the Government of Iran to provide their 
     Government's assistance in the case of Robert Levinson;
       (3) urges the Government of Iran, as a humanitarian 
     gesture, to act on its promises to assist in the case of 
     Robert Levinson and to immediately provide to the United 
     States Government all available information from all entities 
     of the Government of Iran regarding the disappearance of 
     Robert Levinson;
       (4) urges the President and the allies of the United States 
     to continue to raise with officials of the Government of Iran 
     the case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, 
     notwithstanding ongoing and serious disagreements the United 
     States Government has with the Government of Iran on a broad 
     array of issues, including Iran's ballistic missile program, 
     sponsorship of international terrorism, and human rights 
     abuses; and
       (5) expresses sympathy to the family of Robert Levinson for 
     their anguish and expresses hope that their ordeal can be 
     brought to an end in the near future.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  First, I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel 
for their leadership in bringing attention to Bob Levinson's plight and 
for guiding this resolution through our Foreign Affairs Committee and 
onto the House floor today.
  Two weeks ago, we passed this resolution out of the Middle East and 
North Africa Subcommittee, which I chair alongside Ranking Member Ted 
Deutch, my friend from Florida. We were joined by Bob's wife, 
Christine, and their son Dan, as well as by Bob's sister-in-law, Suzi.
  It was truly heart wrenching, Mr. Speaker, to see Christine, Dan, and 
Suzi again and to see how much they miss Bob and how much they worry 
about his well-being and his fate. All they want is Bob's safe and 
immediate return. Unfortunately, the Iranian regime's continued failure 
to honor its commitments and promises to assist in Bob's case and to 
help bring him home have left them without a father, without a husband, 
and without a friend for nearly 3,300 days.
  In fact, next week will mark the ninth anniversary of Bob's 
disappearance from Kish Island, Iranian territory. I can't even begin 
to imagine what the family has had to endure for these past 9 years--
all of the birthdays, all of the holidays, all of the anniversaries, 
all of the momentous family occasions that never really felt whole 
because Bob was unable to share them with his family. No family should 
ever have to go through that ordeal, and the U.S. and the Iranian 
Governments can and should do more to ensure Bob's immediate return.
  That is why this resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, is so 
important, not just for Bob and the Levinson family, but for all 
American citizens who may, one day, be in a similar situation. Our 
constituents and the American people need to know that their 
Representatives and their government will make the safety and security 
of U.S. citizens a top priority.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of the resolution.
  I thank my good friend and partner, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, along 
with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and Congressman Diaz-Balart, for 
introducing this resolution with me and for their commitment to raising 
awareness to Bob Levinson's case and for always pushing for Bob's 
return.
  I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for helping to 
swiftly move this resolution to the floor as we prepare to mark the 
anniversary of Bob Levinson's disappearance. I thank Senator Nelson for 
spearheading a similar resolution, which passed the Senate earlier this 
month. I also thank all of my colleagues who have cosponsored this 
resolution.

                              {time}  1700

  Passing this resolution today is particularly significant. This 
Saturday, March 5, 2016, members of Bob's community in my district in 
south Florida will come together for a rally in support of the Levinson 
family and call for Bob's immediate return. Just 4 days later, on March 
9, we will mark the ninth anniversary of Bob's disappearance from Kish 
Island in Iran.
  When we received word in January that our government negotiated for 
the release of four Americans imprisoned in Iran, we welcomed the news. 
These were Americans who were wrongfully held, and this move made very 
clear that the United States does not forget about its own people.
  We rejoiced as Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, and Jason Rezaian were 
reunited with their families. Our colleagues, Congressmen Kildee, 
Huffman, and Labrador, have been tireless, tireless advocates for the 
release of their constituents. I am so pleased that each of them has 
returned to the United States. For their families, Mr. Speaker, the 
nightmare is over. Unfortunately, the nightmare continues for my 
constituents, the Levinson family.
  Bob is now the longest held hostage in American history. Bob has now 
missed 9 years of birthdays with his seven children, anniversaries with 
his wife, Christine, weddings, the births of three of his four 
grandchildren, and so many other happy occasions that should have been 
celebrated together as a family. This is a family who, for 9 years, has 
never given up on bringing their husband, their father home.
  We were so fortunate to be joined by Bob's wife, Christine, and his 
eldest son, Dan, when we passed this resolution in committee some weeks 
ago. We had the opportunity to tell them directly that this Congress 
will not forget about Bob. By passing this resolution today, this House 
of Representatives will now tell the world that we will never forget 
about Bob.
  Bob Levinson dedicated his life to serving this country, first with 
the DEA and then over 20 years as an FBI agent. Bob is a patriot who 
loves this country dearly, and now, Mr. Speaker, it is time for this 
country to come through for Bob.
  Over the years, the Levinson family has received proof of life in the 
form of pictures and video. We are grateful that throughout the nuclear 
negotiations with Iran, Secretary Kerry and others raised Bob's case at 
every single meeting, and we have been told that the deal to release 
the other Americans opened new avenues for consultation on Bob's case. 
But we cannot wait. Whatever information Iran has about Bob needs to be 
provided now so that Bob can be brought home.
  This resolution before us today calls on Iran to follow through on 
its repeated promises of assisting the United States in locating Bob. 
The resolution calls on our government and those of our partners and 
allies to continue to press Iran for information about Bob at every 
opportunity.
  President Obama and Secretary Kerry have repeatedly expressed their 
commitment to securing Bob's release, and Secretary Kerry reiterated 
that commitment during testimony in the House just last week. President 
Obama has stated in January, when referencing Bob's case, he said ``we 
will not rest until their family is whole again.''

[[Page H1015]]

  For anyone who is watching this debate today, I encourage you to 
share this information about Bob Levinson, to tweet about Bob Levinson, 
to use the hashtag #whataboutbob.
  For those in south Florida, I encourage you to come to support the 
Levinson family this Saturday in Coral Springs. We must keep talking 
about Bob. We must raise the level of awareness about Bob's case.
  Our government and the government of our friends and allies must 
continue to work tirelessly to find Bob and to bring him home. The 
newly elected Parliament in Iran must know that we will never rest 
until Bob is home.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and 
International Organizations.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman of the 
Subcommittee on The Middle East and North Africa and chairwoman 
emeritus of the full committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her leadership 
on this issue. I also thank Ted Deutch, who authored this very, very 
important resolution. I also thank Tom Rice and Eliot Engel for quickly 
bringing this legislation to the floor so that Members can vote on it 
in anticipation of the ninth anniversary of Bob Levinson's being held 
by the Iranians.
  Almost 9 years ago, the Levinson family wrote, in part, on 
helpboblevinson.com. I quote them, in part. They said:
  ``If you pray for Bob, we thank you. If you frequently follow the 
news stories and blogs about Bob's situation, we thank you. If you have 
spread the word about his story and continue to do so, we thank you. We 
thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Please continue to pray 
for Bob. We would love to have him home for Father's Day.''
  That was May 25, 2007. That, Mr. Speaker, was almost 9 years ago.
  In a letter to Dad, also in May of 2007, Bob Levinson's children 
wrote:
  ``Dad . . . your seven children love and miss you very much. We are 
writing you this letter in the hopes that you will be able to read it 
wherever you are and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers 
every minute of every day.''
  The seven children continued:
  ``As you know, Mom is our rock. She has encouraged us to take each 
day one day at a time. While we are sure it will come as no surprise to 
you, she has amazing strength and has been an inspiration to all seven 
of us.
  ``We are all looking forward to your welcome home party. It cannot 
seem to come soon enough. We pray for you every day and look forward to 
having you come home to us safe and sound.''
  The seven Levinson children continued:
  ``Dad, you are the best dad anyone could ever ask for, and we love 
and miss you more than words can say. We are so proud of you, and the 
world now knows what we have known all along--what an intelligent, 
kind, and gentle man you are.''
  Again, that letter was from Bob's kids, and it was posted almost 9 
years ago. Despite the emotional pain, Christine, his wife, and the 
entire family tenaciously press for Bob Levinson's freedom.
  No one in American history, as Mr. Deutch pointed out a moment ago, 
has been held hostage longer than Bob Levinson. His ordeal and the 
agony and the heartbreak of his family must end.
  When the reports that most of the Americans held by Iran were 
released but no freedom or even information about Levinson, the family 
was indeed crushed. In response, the family wrote: ``We are happy for 
the other families. But once again, Bob Levinson has been left behind. 
We are devastated.''
  Devastated, yes, but they are absolutely committed to the return of 
their husband, father, grandfather, relative, and friend. Both the 
administration and Congress must not rest until this good, decent, and 
honorable American is returned to his family, friends, and a grateful 
Nation.
  So I again thank Representative Ted Deutch for sponsoring H. Res. 148 
so all of us can express our deepest concern for Bob Levinson and 
press, as never before, for his return.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thank Mr. Smith for his powerful words and for sharing the very 
powerful and very moving words of Bob's family.
  I ask my colleagues to think about the Levinson family as if they 
were your own and to use the opportunity that we have here today to 
send what is the most powerful message that this House can send--these 
days especially--and that is a message of unity.
  Mr. Speaker, with this resolution today, we have an opportunity to 
recognize that, when a proud American has been missing from his family, 
has been missing from his community, he is missing from our family and 
he is missing from our community and our country. Our country is 
missing Bob Levinson. It is our country that will be made whole when 
Bob is returned.
  I urge my colleagues in the strongest way that I can to stand 
together with me, with Bob's family, and on behalf of every person in 
this great country in moving this resolution forward and continuing to 
work tirelessly to bring Bob home.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank my good friend, Mr. Deutch, for his eloquent proposals time 
and time again in our committee, on the House floor, and in every 
public gathering on behalf of Bob Levinson's family. I am sure that the 
Levinson family feels a great sense of relief that they have such a 
tireless advocate by their side.
  I hope that the administration continues to press the Iranian regime 
to do more to assist with the Bob Levinson case, and it needs to 
continue to raise the issue with the Iranian regime at the highest 
level and at every opportunity.
  As Mr. Deutch pointed out, the community in south Florida will be 
rallying in support of Bob and his family this coming Saturday, March 
5. It will be held at the Center for the Arts in Coral Springs at 2 in 
the afternoon.
  What a powerful message it would send to the family were the House to 
adopt this resolution without dissent. It will also send a strong 
message to the Iranian regime that we will not relent until Bob is home 
with his family and Iran has honored its commitments and its promises.
  I commend, again, my good friend and south Florida colleague, Ted 
Deutch, for authoring this resolution, and I am honored to be his 
Republican lead. I have worked alongside Mr. Deutch for so many years 
in support of Bob and his family.
  Bob, a south Florida resident, as you heard, is a constituent of Mr. 
Deutch's district. As I said, the Levinson family is so fortunate to 
have such a wonderful Representative, because Ted has shown unwavering 
commitment to the family, for Bob in his fight to be reunited with his 
loving family. I can only say that we all support Ted in his mission. 
We support the Levinson family. We will continue to work with Mr. 
Deutch in this effort.
  I urge my colleagues to strongly support this measure, support Bob 
and the Levinson family in this one more anniversary of being in 
captivity who knows where.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 148, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``A resolution 
calling on the Government of Iran to follow through on repeated 
promises of assistance in the case of Robert Levinson, the longest held 
United States hostage in our Nation's history.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________