[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 170 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE BICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF BAHA'U'LLAH

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. STEVE CHABOT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 23, 2017

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bicentennial 
anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i 
Faith.
  Yesterday, October 22, marked the birth of Baha'u'llah. During his 
life, Baha'u'llah touched the lives of all those around him and was 
known for his charity and his message of the unity of mankind, justice, 
and peace. His message still lives on today in the religion he founded 
and in over five million Baha'is around the world. Wherever they live, 
Baha'is strive to be good citizens, serving their communities and the 
common good and working side-by-side with other faiths to advance 
education, interfaith harmony, and international cooperation.
  The Baha'i Faith has spread to every state since arriving in the U.S. 
more than 120 years ago. I want to specifically highlight the Baha'i 
community in Cincinnati. Throughout my time in Congress, I have had the 
opportunity to meet with Baha'i representatives many times and to learn 
how they have enriched and blessed our city.
  Unfortunately, the Baha'is are not free to practice their religion in 
Iran, Baha'u'llah's homeland. Since the Revolution of 1979, Iran has 
executed at least 200 Baha'is. 10,000 Baha'is have been dismissed from 
their jobs and 700 have been arrested since 2005. Baha'is have seen 
their homes raided, their property confiscated, and their children 
denied education.
  During my service on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I have 
vocally supported the Baha'is rights in Iran. That is why I joined my 
colleague, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, to introduce H. Res. 274 
earlier this year which once again condemns Iran's state-sponsored 
persecution of its Baha'i minority. As the Baha'i celebrate 
Baha'u'llah's birth, we must remember that his followers are not yet 
free to practice in his homeland.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize this momentous occasion, and 
wish those Baha'i in my district, throughout America, and around the 
world, a joyous celebration.

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