[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9815-H9817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IRAN HOSTAGES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (S. 2607) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the former 
hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979 1981, highlighting their 
resilience throughout the unprecedented ordeal that they lived through 
and the national unity it produced, marking four decades since their 
444 days in captivity, and recognizing their sacrifice to the United 
States.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 2607

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Hostages Congressional 
     Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) On January 20, 1981, United States diplomats, military 
     personnel, and civilians were released after being held 
     hostage for 444 days by militant student supporters of Iran's 
     Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in a violation of international 
     law. The individuals were taken from the United States 
     Embassy in Tehran, Iran, and the ordeal came to be known as 
     the Iran Hostage Crisis.
       (2) The hostages were subjected to intense physical and 
     psychological torture throughout their captivity, such as 
     mock executions, beatings, solitary confinement, and 
     inhospitable living conditions.
       (3) Throughout their time held, the hostages were routinely 
     told to denounce the United States and, when they refused, 
     they were tortured, but remained strong in their spirit.
       (4) One hostage wrote ``Viva la roja, blanco, y azul'', 
     which translates to ``Long live the red, white, and blue'', 
     on the wall of his cell as a reminder of the values he swore 
     to protect.
       (5) The hostages showed extraordinary courage by 
     continually engaging in acts of resistance against their 
     captors, such as by refusing to sign condemnations of the 
     United States, in the face of gross violations of their human 
     rights.
       (6) Many of the hostages still experience trauma as a 
     result of the events of the crisis and deserve to have their 
     suffering recognized.
       (7) While, as of the date of enactment of this Act, 35 of 
     the hostages are living, it is important that the people of 
     the United States reflect on the resilience and strength of 
     the hostages, which serve as an example to current 
     generations.
       (8) The people of the United States should--
       (A) acknowledge the hostages as heroes who--
       (i) experienced great tribulation; and
       (ii) endured, so that the people of the United States may 
     know the blessing of living in the United States; and
       (B) strive to demonstrate the values shown by the hostages.
       (9) On January 22, 1981, President Jimmy Carter met with 
     the hostages in West Germany and stated the following: ``One 
     of the acts in my life which has been the most moving and 
     gratifying in meeting with and discussing the future and the 
     past with the now liberated Americans who were held hostage 
     in Iran for so long. I pointed out to them that, since their 
     capture by the Iranian terrorists and their being held in 
     this despicable act of savagery, that the American people's 
     hearts have gone out to them and the Nation has been united 
     as perhaps never before in history and that the prayers that 
     have gone up from the people throughout the world to God for 
     their safety have finally been answered.''.
       (10) On January 28, 1981, when welcoming the hostages home, 
     President Ronald Reagan stated the following: ``You've come 
     home to a people who for 444 days suffered the pain of your 
     imprisonment, prayed for your safety, and most importantly, 
     shared your determination that the spirit of free men and 
     women is not a fit subject for barter. You've represented 
     under great stress the highest traditions of public service. 
     Your conduct is symbolic of the millions of professional 
     diplomats, military personnel, and others who have rendered 
     service to their country.''.
       (11) During the 444 days the brave hostages were held, the 
     rest of the United States held its breath, waiting for news 
     of the hostages. The United States hoped and prayed together, 
     as one, for the hostages' safe return.
       (12) Bruce Laingen, who served as United States Ambassador 
     to Iran from 1979 to 1980 and was the highest ranking 
     diplomat held hostage, summed up the experience by saying the 
     following: ``Fifty-three Americans who will always have a 
     love affair with this country and who join with you in a 
     prayer of thanksgiving for the way in which this crisis has 
     strengthened the spirit and resilience and strength that is 
     the mark of a truly free society.''. It is now the 
     responsibility of the people of the United States to honor 
     the spirit, resilience, and strength that the hostages 
     displayed during their 444 days of imprisonment.
       (13) Now, more than 4 decades later, the United States 
     continues to honor the hostages. The recipients of the award 
     bestowed by this Act are heroes in every sense of the word. 
     They are role models who wore their pride in the United 
     States with esteem and have allowed for subsequent 
     generations to appreciate the blessing of living in the 
     United States. Today, as we mark 40 years since their 
     release, the people of the United States acknowledge their 
     endurance, strength, and contributions to seeing a more 
     peaceful world. The hostages suffered for the United States 
     and now it is the duty of the United States to recognize them 
     for it.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITION.

       In this Act, the term ``hostage'' means a person of the 
     United States who was taken captive on November 4, 1979, in 
     Tehran, Iran, at the United States embassy and released on--
       (1) July 11, 1980; or
       (2) January 20, 1981.

     SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf 
     of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design to 
     the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis, in recognition of 
     their

[[Page H9816]]

     bravery and endurance throughout their captivity, which 
     started on November 4, 1979, and lasted until January 21, 
     1981.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a 
     gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, 
     to be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of State.
       (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
       (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal 
     under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the 
     National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian 
     Institution, where it shall be available for display as 
     appropriate and made available for research.
       (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal 
     received under paragraph (1) available for loan, as 
     appropriate, so that the medal may be displayed elsewhere.

     SEC. 5. BRONZE DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may strike and sell 
     duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to 
     section 4, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, 
     including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
     overhead expenses.
       (b) Proceeds of Sales.--The amounts received from the sale 
     of duplicate medals under subsection (a) shall be deposited 
     in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.

       There is authorized to be charged against the United States 
     Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary 
     to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act.

     SEC. 7. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this 
     Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this 
     Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 8. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss) and the gentleman from South Carolina 
(Mr. Norman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to include extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2607, the Iran Hostages 
Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by Senator Padilla, which is a 
companion to a House bill sponsored by Representative Suozzi.
  I thank Representative Suozzi for sponsoring this bipartisan bill, 
which would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 53 hostages of the 
Iran hostage crisis, which occurred from November 4, 1979, to January 
21, 1981, in recognition of their bravery in the face of egregious 
human rights violations. It has been more than 40 years since their 
release.
  Representative Suozzi has been a tireless advocate in honoring these 
U.S. embassy employees who were taken hostage and uplifting their 
humanity. Last week, Representative Suozzi said on the floor that he 
was 17 years old when the hostages were taken and remembers the Iran 
hostage crisis as a painful time in our history. I am so appreciative 
of his dedication to this important issue and ensuring that these 
hostages are properly recognized for the sacrifices they have made that 
have had lasting effects until today.
  I am pleased to be able to vote ``yes'' for this bill before his 
retirement at the end of this term, and I congratulate him on this 
important bill to celebrate the resilience and strength of the 
hostages.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in total support of S. 2607. It is a bill that will award a 
Congressional Gold Medal to the former hostages of the Iran hostage 
crisis of 1979-1981.
  Mr. Speaker, on November 4, 1979, Iranian students in Iran's capital 
city, Tehran, stormed the American Embassy, trapping more than 50 
American workers within the embassy grounds. This violent act was 
carried out to declare a break from Iran's past and put an end to the 
perceived American interference in the region.
  The response by the Carter administration at the onset was limited 
to, one, asset freezes; and two, blockading the shipment of goods to 
Iran. There was fear that anything more would encourage the students to 
destroy the embassy and harm the hostages.
  I am sure we all remember Walter Cronkite ending his nightly program 
reporting the number of days the hostages were held captive, a daily 
reminder of those who were still trapped.
  During this time, the hostages were subjected to intense physical and 
psychological torture, but their spirit never wavered. Those held 
captive showed extraordinary courage by continually engaging in acts of 
resistance against their captors, such as by refusing to sign 
condemnations of the United States despite the gross violations of 
their human rights.
  This infamous incident in American history lasted 444 days, and it is 
important that we continue to remember the bravery shown by those 
courageous Americans.
  S. 2607 will honor the captured United States diplomats, military 
personnel, and civilians with the recognition that they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it as well. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. As I am awaiting the arrival of the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Suozzi), who has performed able and faithful service in the House 
over his career, I would like to reflect on the Iran hostage crisis and 
its unfortunate foreshadowing of the behavior of the Ayatollah's regime 
that we are witnessing now on our TV screens today as they persecute 
brave men and women on the streets of Iran's major cities who are 
protesting for basic human and civil rights.
  I know that I speak on behalf of my constituents in Massachusetts' 
4th District when I say that the American people stand with those who 
are protesting the repression and the discrimination, particularly 
against women, that have been the hallmark of the Ayatollah's regime 
and that we feel that the values that they are fighting for are 
universal values, core human rights, and certainly hope and expect that 
they will be achieved.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to reflect on the great service of Mr. 
Suozzi, who has been an able member of the Ways and Means Committee and 
a wise counselor to those of us like myself who are new to this 
business in how to best represent our constituents and advance their 
priorities and reflect their values.
  Mr. Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Suozzi), the sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the great honor to be 
joined in this Chamber by many brave Americans and their family members 
who were held hostage when student militants stormed the U.S. Embassy 
in Iran on November 4, 1979.
  For 444 days, 52 brave Americans were held hostage and held captive 
against their will. On behalf of those brave Americans, I rise in 
support of my bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would award the 
Congressional Gold Medal to the 52 hostages of the Iran hostage crisis.
  As it currently stands, almost 300 Members of this Chamber have 
pledged their support for this legislation, a showing of true 
bipartisanship in an oftentimes divided Chamber, and the bill has 
received overwhelming support in the Senate, as well.
  Despite mock firing squads, beatings, solitary confinement, lack of 
food, and psychological torture, these American hostages maintained 
their strength and resilience. Back at home, we remember

[[Page H9817]]

that Americans remained united in their support for these hostages, 
with many tying yellow ribbons around trees in signs of solidarity.
  I was 17 years old in 1979, and I well remember, as many Americans 
do, that the Iran hostage crisis was a painful time in our history, but 
that pain cannot stop us from recognizing the true pain and sacrifice 
by these special Americans.
  On behalf of the entire Congress, I give special thanks to the 
chairman of Commission 52, Brock Pierce, and Ezra Friedlander, the 
project manager, for helping to gather support for this bill. It is 
truly a public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift passage of this bill so we can 
immediately send it to the President's desk to be signed into law.
  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I will say, this is the least we can do for 
these American heroes, what they sacrificed, the abuse they took. This 
is such a worthy cause.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time 
to close.
  I appreciate Representative Suozzi's dedication to this important 
issue. This bipartisan bill will honor the bravery of the 53 hostages 
of the Iran hostage crisis, the U.S. Embassy employees, who were held 
hostage for 444 days.
  Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Suozzi for championing this 
issue and urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, S. 2607.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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