[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H1172-H1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NARGES MOHAMMADI, NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this Women's History Month, I rise to 
recognize the impenetrable resolve and tremendous courage of the 2023 
Nobel Prize Laureate, Ms. Narges Mohammadi.
  A fierce advocate for Iranian women, Ms. Mohammadi has been arrested 
by Iranian authorities 13 times and sentenced to a total of 31 years' 
imprisonment and 153 lashes. Imprisoned most

[[Page H1173]]

recently in 2015, she has not seen her children for 8 years.
  Ms. Mohammadi's advocacy is desperately needed in Iran, where the law 
views women as subhuman in every sense. If a car hits a pedestrian, the 
punishment for the driver and compensation to the victim are halved if 
the victim is a woman.
  If Iranian women are caught in public without their headscarves, they 
face up to 10 years imprisonment. Let us applaud Ms. Mohammadi for her 
astounding courage.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record, on another freedom front, the 
Hungarian American Coalition's resolution, recognizing on March 12, 
1989, 25 years ago, when Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic were 
officially admitted to NATO.
  Today, more than 25 years has passed as we look at a strong NATO to 
promote Western democratic values and help us forge a more secure and 
united future for all who love liberty most.

           [From Hungarian American Coalition, Mar. 12, 2024]

 Hungarian American Coalition Issues Statement on the 25th Anniversary 
                      of Hungary's NATO Accession

       Washington, DC.--On March 12, 1999, Poland, Hungary and the 
     Czech Republic were officially welcomed as members of NATO at 
     the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, the 
     same location where Truman created the NATO Alliance in 1949. 
     U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright referred to 
     Hungary stating, ``the lands of King St. Stephen and Cardinal 
     Mindszenty . . . reside fully and irrevocably in the Western 
     community of nations . . .''. Today, more than ever, a strong 
     NATO is needed to promote Western democratic values and help 
     us forge a more secure and united future for all.
       The Hungarian American Coalition was founded as a response 
     to the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. 
     During the critical years of 1994-l999, Coalition leaders, 
     along with their Polish and Czech counterparts, were proud to 
     play an active role in the development of U.S. policy to 
     expand NATO's security umbrella to Poland, Hungary, and the 
     Czech Republic. Coalition leaders actively participated in 
     policy meetings at the White House, testified at 
     Congressional hearings, and organized three conferences 
     across Hungary to educate the public on the benefits of NATO 
     Membership prior to the national public referendum in 1997.
       It is impossible to overstate the impact of NATO membership 
     on Hungary's security, peace and prosperity over the past 25 
     years. The Coalition, through its membership in the Central 
     East European Coalition (CEEC), has remained a committed 
     advocate for the continued expansion of NATO to include 
     countries that are committed to freedom, democracy, and the 
     rule of law, including new members on six different 
     occasions.
       Today, NATO remains a vital institution for promoting 
     transatlantic security and liberty throughout Europe and 
     beyond. Long-term peace and security in Europe will only be 
     ensured by NATO's collective strength and resolve against 
     Russian aggression. Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine 
     reminds the world, once again, of the fragility of peace.
       As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hungary's 
     accession, we look back with great pride on the role 
     Coalition leaders played during this historic time. This 
     year, the world also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the 
     founding of NATO itself. This presents an opportunity to 
     recommit ourselves to the values we share, where Hungary and 
     the United States remain strong allies dedicated to the 
     ideals of Western democracy and a Europe whole and free.

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