[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.
____________________