[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24201-24209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD'S THREATS AGAINST 
                                 ISRAEL

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it shall be in 
order at any time without intervention of any point of order to 
consider in the House H. Res. 523; the resolution shall be considered 
as read; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the 
resolution and preamble to its adoption without intervening motion or 
demand for division of the question except: (1) 40 minutes of debate 
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority 
member of the Committee on International Relations; and (2) one motion 
to recommit.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, I 
call up the resolution (H. Res. 523) condemning Iranian President 
Mahmoud Admadinejad's threats against Israel, and ask for its immediate 
consideration.

[[Page 24202]]

  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 523

       Whereas on October 26, 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President 
     of the Islamic Republic of Iran, declared that ``Israel must 
     be wiped off the map'', described Israel as ``a disgraceful 
     blot [on] the face of the Islamic world'', and declared that 
     ``[a]nybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of 
     the Islamic nation's fury'';
       Whereas Iran funds, trains, and openly supports terrorist 
     groups that are determined to destroy Israel;
       Whereas on December 14, 2001, the President of Iran's 
     highly influential Expediency Council, Ali Akbar Hashemi-
     Rafsanjani, threatened Israel with nuclear attack, saying, 
     ``[i]f one day, the Islamic world is also equipped with 
     weapons like those that Israel possesses now, then the 
     imperialists' strategy will reach a standstill because the 
     use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy 
     everything [in Israel], while it will merely harm the Islamic 
     world'';
       Whereas Iran has aggressively pursued a clandestine effort 
     to arm itself with nuclear weapons; and
       Whereas the longstanding policy of the Iranian regime aimed 
     at destroying the democratic state of Israel, highlighted by 
     statements such as those by Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani, 
     underscores the danger of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns, in the strongest terms, Ahmadinejad's 
     outrageous and despicable threats and demands that he 
     repudiate them;
       (2) calls on the United Nations Security Council and all 
     civilized nations to condemn and reject these statements and 
     to censure Iran for its statements and for its policies aimed 
     at destroying Israel;
       (3) further calls on the United Nations Security Council 
     and all civilized nations to consider measures to deny Iran 
     the means to carry out its threats and to prevent Iran from 
     acquiring nuclear weapons; and
       (4) reaffirms the unwavering alliance between the United 
     States and Israel and reasserts the commitment of the United 
     States to defend the right of Israel to exist as a free and 
     democratic state.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of today, 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this should be a week in which people around the world 
consider and celebrate the progress that has been made in interfaith 
relations in the modern era. We are marking the fact that 40 years ago 
today, His Holiness Pope Paul VI issued Nostra Aetate, ``In Our 
Times,'' the landmark declaration of the Roman Catholic Church on its 
relations with non-Christian religions, in particular Islam and 
Judaism. That declaration began 4 decades of very important and very 
helpful dialogue among the world's major faith communities.
  In sharp contrast to the spirit of Nostra Aetate, we witnessed on 
Wednesday a shocking and venomous instance of political and religious 
intolerance. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a 
series of threats against the State of Israel, couched in religious or, 
perhaps I should say, pseudo-religious terms. President Ahmadinejad 
said, in essence, that for religious reasons, the State of Israel 
should be wiped off the map. Evidently, the world has not had enough 
genocide and ethnic cleansing.
  This is not a position shared by most Muslims. Iranians in particular 
have had enough of the intellectual, economic, and spiritual poverty 
imposed upon them by their unelected or nominally elected officials.

                              {time}  1000

  That poverty will only deepen as Iran finds itself isolated by the 
sort of rhetoric spouted by President Ahmadinejad.
  We can take comfort from the fact that our response of dismay is 
shared by many in the world community. In particular, the response of 
Palestinian leader Saeb Erakat is worth noting: ``We have recognized 
the State of Israel, and we are pursuing a peace process with Israel. 
And we do not accept the statements of the President of Iran.''
  In this resolution, we express our rejection of the statements of the 
Iranian president and call upon him to repudiate them. Further, we ask 
the world community to consider whether a government that calls for the 
elimination of another state should remain in possession of the means 
to carry out its threats. Israel is entitled to take these threats 
seriously, as are all other nations, and Iran will have to be prepared 
to bear the consequences.
  I urge the adoption of the resolution and wish to express my 
appreciation of the leadership shown on this issue by the gentleman 
from Indiana (Mr. Pence) and by my colleague from California, our 
ranking Democrat (Mr. Lantos).
  The gentleman from Indiana has an important markup, and so I would 
like to yield to him briefly at this time.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and am 
deeply humbled to rise during the chairman's time and prior to the 
ranking member's time.
  I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for the courtesy 
in recognizing a markup schedule on the Hill. I am deeply humbled to 
stand between Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde, who are the two leading voices 
for human rights and for the relationship between the people of the 
United States of America and the people of Israel.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 523 that recognizes an 
extraordinary and, as Chairman Hyde just said, shocking and venomous 
moment in world debate. On October 26, 2005, President Mahmoud 
Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, declared 
that Israel must be ``wiped off the map.'' He described Israel as, 
quote, a disgraceful blot on the face of the Islamic world. Such 
rhetoric is, as this resolution states, outrageous and despicable. It 
is, in my judgment, in the heart of the American people to rise in this 
Congress, in these extraordinary times and speak this truth to that 
power, and that is that the people of the United States cherish the 
dream that became the reality of Israel in 1948, and we categorically 
condemn rhetoric of this nature.
  This resolution calls bravely on the United Nations Security Council 
and all civilized nations to condemn and reject these statements. Let 
the world know, the American people pray for the peace of Jerusalem, 
for all the people of all the faiths in Jerusalem. We long for justice 
in the region. And only if the world will come together and condemn 
this venomous and despicable and shocking statement by the president of 
the Islamic Republic of Iran will that peace and justice ever be 
achieved.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back to the chairman with gratitude and 
appreciation for his and the gentleman from California's leadership in 
bringing this important resolution before the Congress.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Let me first pay tribute to my friends and distinguished colleagues, 
Chairman Hyde and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) for their 
powerful and eloquent statements.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Two days 
ago the leader of Iran made one of the most repugnant remarks the 
international community has heard since Adolf Hitler. With his bone-
chilling call for Israel to be wiped off the map, the Iranian dictator 
placed himself and his benighted regime far beyond the pale of the 
civilized world.
  I would hope that everyone in this body would be sickened by the 
Iranian dictator's contemptible sentiments. And I would hope that every 
civilized nation is likewise appalled by it, and

[[Page 24203]]

condemns Iran in the strongest possible terms.
  But, Mr. Speaker, this latest outrage from Tehran comes as no 
surprise. The Iranian leader has made graphically explicit what many of 
us have long known. Since day one of its existence, the Iranian regime 
has craved Israel's destruction and has been working assiduously 
through terrorism and all other means to achieve that goal. Iran's 
support for terrorist groups that are determined to destroy Israel is 
well known. Iran is Hezbollah's puppetmas-
ter and increasingly the banker and mentor for Hamas and Palestinian 
Islamic Jihad as well. And Iran would almost certainly put any nuclear 
arms it produces or acquires at the service of this nefarious end. All 
of this should, by now, be clear, even to the most gullible. This has 
nothing to do with Israel's policies. Tehran simply rejects Israel's 
right to exist.
  Anyone who still does not get the message should read the Iranian 
Foreign Minister's response to criticism of the Iranian President's 
remarks yesterday. And I quote, ``The comments expressed by the 
President is the declared and specific policy of the Islamic Republic 
of Iran. We don't recognize the Zionist regime and don't consider it 
legitimate.'' That is what the Iranian Foreign Minister said yesterday.
  Mr. Speaker, it is crucial that the United Nations Security Council 
censure Iran in the strongest terms possible for its leader's 
disgusting, bellicose statement, and that it insist that Iran repudiate 
those statements and halt its support of terrorism.
  And it is more urgent than ever that the Security Council take up the 
issue of preventing Iran's nuclearization and agree on strong 
sanctions. Let me remind everyone that 4 years ago another powerful 
Iranian leader, Ali Rafsanjani, openly boasted that Iran would win a 
nuclear exchange with Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, when Hitler threatened to destroy the Jews, almost 
nobody took him seriously. The appeasers and the pseudosophisticates 
said it was just rhetoric. But madmen often mean exactly what they say, 
as we learned only under the most tragic circumstances, and now Iran is 
declaring its ugly, unthinkable intent for all to hear. And the world 
is tested yet again.
  Mr. Speaker, Iran is guilty of a multitude of sins and assaults on 
civilization beyond its policy of attempting to delegitimatize the 
State of Israel. Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of 
terrorism. It ceaselessly meddles in Iraq, sowing violence and chaos 
and undermining that fragile new society's quest for stability and 
peace, and it is an unapologetic enemy of the United States, as 
government-sponsored demonstrations all over Iran on this very day make 
it crystal clear. These are just a few elements of its dangerous 
behavior, and we shall return to all these concerns on another day.
  But Ahmadinejad's inflammatory statement compels us today to focus on 
Iran's ugly fanaticism-based opposition to Israel's existence and the 
threat that a nuclear Iran would pose to Israel and to all nations of 
the Middle East. I know of no situation in the world remotely 
comparable to this one where a power hell-bent on acquiring nuclear 
arms declares its determination to wipe one of its neighbors off the 
map. And in this case, the neighbor that is the object of this 
vituperation and this murderous intent is the sole democracy in the 
Middle East and a close ally of the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that our resolution will in itself 
dissuade Iran from its repugnant views or deter it from its planned 
horrible deeds, but it is morally imperative that we speak out, that we 
draw attention to a potentially impending nightmare, and that we demand 
that this time the world take action before it is too late. That is 
what our resolution does, Mr. Speaker, and that is why I unreservedly 
support it and urge all of my colleagues to do so.
  Just a few minutes ago, Mr. Speaker, Reuters reported another 
megalomaniacal and insane statement by the President of Iran. He said, 
and I quote, that he stands by his call to wipe Israel off the map. My 
words are the Iranian nation's words: Westerners are free to comment, 
but their reactions are invalid, end quote.
  All of us in this body should reject, denounce and repudiate the 
outrageous statements of the leader of Iran and stand up for our 
friend, the democratic State of Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time.
  I rise to strongly condemn the statements made by Iran's so-called 
President and to call on the international community at the United 
Nations to take swift action to compel Iran to change its destructive 
behavior.
  I rise in support of this resolution, and I thank Chairman Hyde and 
Ranking Member Lantos and our leadership for bringing this important 
measure before this House this morning.
  Earlier this week, Iran's so-called President called for Israel to be 
wiped off the map and for a new wave of Palestinian attacks to destroy 
the Jewish State.
  He further stated that anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the 
fire of the Islamic nations' fury, while any Islamic leader who 
recognizes the Zionist regime means that he is acknowledging the 
surrender and the defeat of the Islamic world.
  Nations throughout the world have condemned the regime's comments, 
but the international community needs to do more.
  The Iranian leadership has a history of calling for the wholesale 
destruction of Israel. On December 14, 2001, the current president of 
Iran's Expediency Council and the former Iranian President Rafsanjani 
threatened Israel with nuclear attack saying that the use of even one 
nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything in Israel, while it 
will merely harm the Islamic world.
  Iran's behavior is a threat to peace and security and, as such, runs 
contrary to the United Nations Charter and the spirit of an 
organization built upon the ashes of the Second World War.
  In calling for the destruction of Israel, Iran, a U.N. member state, 
stands in grave breach of the U.N. Charter which stipulates that member 
states must foster peaceful relations with one another.
  My colleagues and I are circulating letters to Secretary Rice and 
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan calling not only for Iran to be 
censured, as this resolution rightfully does, but for the U.N. Security 
Council to recommend expulsion of Iran from the United Nations system.
  I support this resolution before us because it calls for all 
civilized nations to consider measures to deny Iran the means to carry 
out its threats and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

                              {time}  1015

  However, Mr. Speaker, we need to do more to secure concrete actions 
from our allies. We need to leverage all of our political, diplomatic, 
and economic tools to ensure that Iran does not cross the nuclear 
threshold, that it stops its chemical and biological weapons program, 
that it ends its sponsorship of terror and it stops oppressing its own 
people.
  H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act, which I introduced with my 
distinguished colleagues, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Berman), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), and the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman), provides a comprehensive, 
multi-tiered, non-military approach to the Iranian threat. The 
legislation has 325 co-sponsors, and I urge that it be acted upon 
before the House adjourns this year.
  Mr. Speaker, Iran is the full ticket. It is not just Israel's 
problem. It constitutes a clear and present danger to regional and 
global security and must elicit a clear and comprehensive response.
  The time has come for Congress and the international community to 
hold Iran accountable for its destructive behavior. I urge my 
colleagues to render

[[Page 24204]]

their strong support for this resolution, but we must do more. We must 
also pass H.R. 282. It seeks to hold the Iranian regime accountable for 
its unacceptable behavior and to contain the threat by denying Tehran 
the resources to engage in its sponsorship of terrorism worldwide, its 
development of long-range missiles, and chemical, biological and 
possibly nuclear weapons, and its repression of the Iranian people.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, but also to pass H.R. 
282.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, October 25, 2005.
     Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
     Chairman, Committee on International Relations, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hyde: I would like to take this opportunity 
     to respectfully request that H.R. 282 be scheduled for mark-
     up by the Committee next month (November 2005).
       H.R. 282, seeks to hold the Iranian regime accountable for 
     its unacceptable behavior and to contain the threat by 
     denying Tehran the resources to engage in its sponsorship of 
     terrorism worldwide, its development of longer-range missiles 
     and chemical, biological, and, possibly, nuclear weapons and 
     its repression of the Iranian peeople.
     General Background
       Mr. Chairman, almost three years of negotiations between 
     the E3-EU countries and the Iranian regime have yet to yield 
     a permanent suspension of enrichment activities and a 
     dismantling of Iran's nuclear program. On the contrary Iran, 
     in August of this year, resumed its nuclear efforts removing 
     the IAEA seals on the uranium conversion plant at Isfahan 
     and, in September, Iran began to transfer more of its nuclear 
     program under military control.
       Referral of the Iran case to the UN Security Council, 
     should that occur, would not necessarily yield any concrete 
     steps to contain or halt Iran's nuclear pursuits.
       Lastly, the E3-EU/Iran negotiations fail to address other 
     critical issues of great importance to U.S. national security 
     interests such as Iran's sponsorship of terrorist activities, 
     including in Iraq, while H.R. 282 seeks to cover the range of 
     U.S. policy priorities.
     Procedural Background
       On April 13, 2005, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and 
     Central Asia held a mark-up session to consider H.R. 282. The 
     legislation was amended and adopted by unanimous consent and 
     forwarded by voice vote to Full Committee for action.
       My Subcommittee Staff Director has worked with your staff 
     on the full Committee to seek input from the Administration, 
     having met with NSC and State officials on May 25, 2005 and 
     on June 27, 2005. At the June 27th meeting, a written line 
     in/line out was promised ``in the next couple of weeks.'' In 
     mid-July, a deadline of July 22nd was given to the NSC to 
     provide a line in/line out to the Committee but it was not 
     met.
       On September 28, 2005, I met with     , who asked for more 
     time before calling for a Full Committee mark-up of H.R. 282. 
     I agreed to wait a few weeks.
       It has now been a month since that meeting and the Russian 
     Federation remains opposed to referral of the Iran case to 
     the UN Security Council and insists on ``Iran's lawful right 
     to a peaceful nuclear energy program.'' Further, the position 
     of the EU now appears to be focused merely on convincing 
     Tehran to ``resume talks'' and ``resume suspension.''
       In the interim, Iran inches closer to crossing the nuclear 
     threshold.
     Status of H.R. 282
       Mr. Chairman, H.R. 282 provides critical leverage for the 
     Administration to use to compel greater action from U.S. 
     allies who, months ago, were asked by the U.S. to consider 
     individual sanctions on Iran for its breaches and, instead, 
     continue their multibillion dollar investments in Iran's 
     energy sector.
       H.R. 282 is in keeping with U.S. efforts to address the 
     multiple threats posed by the Iranian regime, as well as with 
     the U.S. strategy to bring freedom and democratic governance 
     to the people of the Middle East.
       H.R. 282 currently enjoys the support of 325 co-sponsors, 
     including:
       Members of the Republican and Democrat Leadership
       Three-fourths of the Members of the Committee on 
     International Relations (22 out of 27 GOP/17 of 23 DEM)
       7 Full Committee Chairs and 8 Ranking Members
       49 of 65 Members of the Committee on Armed Services
       17 of 21 Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence
       25 of 34 Members of the Committee on Homeland Security
       42 of 66 Members of the Committee on Appropriations
     Committee Action Requested
       Mr. Chairman, you have exerted Congressional oversight and 
     the Committee's jurisdiction on a range of important issues 
     such as the U.S.-India nuclear deal and the amendment to the 
     Iran Nonproliferation Act, despite Administration concerns.
       In that vein, I ask for your assistance and respectfully 
     request that you immediately schedule H.R. 282--the Iran 
     Freedom Support Act--for mark-up.
           Sincerely,

                                          Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,

                                        Chair, Subcommittee on the
                                     Middle East and Central Asia.

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Crowley), a distinguished member of the Committee on 
International Relations.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Lantos).
  The President of Iran stated clearly that his intentions are to wipe 
the State of Israel off the map. He followed up these remarks the other 
day by saying, ``My words were the Iranian nation's words.''
  These comments further highlight the nefarious intentions the Iranian 
regime has towards not only Israel but towards the West.
  You would think when international pressure is bearing down on Iran 
over the refusal to allow IAEA inspections, they would not be making 
such disgusting comments. The United States must start a serious 
diplomatic effort to ensure that a vote is taken next month to bring 
the Iran nuclear program to the Security Council.
  The Iranian leadership will continue to make these outrageous 
statements, but it is not just words for Iran. A U.N. report released 
this week said large shipments of weapons from Iran are being shipped 
through Syria to Palestinian terrorists. Israel and the Palestinians 
have a chance for peace, but this chance will not be achieved if bad 
actors like Iran and Syria continue to fan the flames of violence.
  I do not believe the majority of the Iranian people support the words 
of Mr. Ahmadinejad. His hard-line politics make him a favorite of the 
ruling mullahs, and he was able to win the presidency when the 
reformist voters chose not to vote instead of supporting him. It is not 
as if the Council of Guardians gave the Iranian people any other 
choice. They made sure that any candidate representing reformist views 
was removed from the ballot.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution, and I urge all of my 
colleagues to send a message to the Iranian regime that we do not 
support these unacceptable and disgusting statements.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and I thank the ranking 
member for bringing this very important resolution to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, the words this week from the President of Iran were 
shocking but, unfortunately, not surprising. ``Israel must be wiped off 
the map . . . and God willing, with the force of God behind it, we 
shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism.''
  These are words of hate, the words not of a legitimate world leader 
but of an enemy to peace, to freedom, and to the United States.
  That Iran's corrupt ruling elite have their boot heel on the neck of 
moderate reform is not a secret. Nor is Iran's obsession with the 
development of nuclear weapons with which to destroy Israel any hope 
for freedom in the Middle East; nor is Iran's membership in and 
sponsorship of a psychopathic cult of violence and murder that is right 
now a clear and present danger to the safety of every citizen of the 
United States, Israel, Iraq, and every other democracy on Earth.
  This week's rhetorical outburst, repugnant as it is, Mr. Speaker, is 
simply a verbal expression of the ayatollah regime's most basic 
political aspiration, the destruction of Israel and the extermination 
of the Israeli people. That regime, clinging both to power and the 
past, will one day fall to a new generation of Iranians, devout in 
their faith, tolerant in their politics, and free in their hearts.
  The democratic opposition to the ayatollahs is the future, and a 
bright

[[Page 24205]]

one at that. They deserve our support as much as the Tehran regime 
deserves our scorn and suspicion.
  This week's outburst, a direct threat to our ally and our interests, 
must be condemned in the fiercest terms and backed up by a renewed 
commitment by this House and this Nation to develop substantive 
policies to bring about desperately needed political reform in Iran.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff), a distinguished member of the Committee on 
International Relations.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, anyone who held out hope that despite his reputation as 
a hard liner that Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, would 
adopt a more statesmanlike posture in office, has been bitterly, 
tragically, and unequivocally set straight. The Iranian dictator has 
instead chosen the role of international outlaw.
  With his remarks 2 days ago that Israel must be wiped off the map, 
the Iranian strongman showed utter disregard for human life and for the 
central principle of the United Nations and the modern international 
system. Ahmadinejad's outrageous remarks were reinforced today by 
massive demonstrations in Iran that further threaten to ignite tensions 
in a volatile region of the world and undermine the fragile Israeli/
Palestinian peace negotiations.
  What makes Ahmadinejad's remarks all the more disturbing is that they 
come at a time when Iran is actively pursuing nuclear weapons that 
could make his harsh rhetoric a reality. How can the world stand by 
while an outlaw nation attempts to gain nuclear weapons? How can the 
world stand by while an outlaw nation announces its despotic intentions 
to annihilate millions of people? Should Iran one day act on its 
murderous intent, how can the world claim surprise?
  As our ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), 
points outs, sometimes a madman means exactly what he says. The world 
must unite to condemn these threats and this episode must stiffen the 
resolve of Europe and the United Nations to ensure that Tehran will 
never, never acquire nuclear weapons.
  I thank the chairman and the ranking member for the leadership in 
offering this resolution, and I am proud to sponsor it.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the learned gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
resolution. We need to send a message. This message is being sent 
immediately upon hearing these despicable words from the President of 
Iran. Again, understanding the significance of these words, we must 
recommit ourselves in this body to seeing to it that Iran never does 
possess nuclear weapons and these weapons of mass destruction that 
would create a hell on Earth and not only disturb the peace but could 
threaten the lives not only of the people of Israel but the people 
throughout the world who support Israel's right to exist.
  Let me make that very clear. All of our allies, all of our neighbors, 
every neighborhood in the United States of America would be at risk if 
the Iran mullah regime has possession of nuclear weapons. We know this 
not because Iran threatens Israel. We know this because any country 
that has a president that would threaten to wipe off the face of the 
map another country is a threat to all decent people in the world, and 
they know it.
  The President of Iran has said they will wipe Israel off the face of 
the map. Let us note that he and those in his regime hold power only 
because the people of Iran are denied the right to choose their own 
leaders. He is not the President of Iran; he is part of a gangster 
regime run by radicals who are out of touch with Islam and do not 
represent their own people.
  As so often happens, those who oppose the freedom of their own people 
end up being a threat to the peace and stability of the world, and that 
is exactly what this statement exemplifies.
  The mullahs are playing a horrible role in the lives of their own 
people. They promote hatred, violence, and intolerance in a region that 
is desperate for peace. They are spreading hatred and violence and an 
intolerance in a region that right now is poised and ready for peace, 
reconciliation and, yes, democracy.
  The people of Iran are not our enemies. This resolution is not about 
the people of Iran. We would ask the people of Iran today to join with 
us, the free people of the world and the decent people of the world, in 
building a better world, a peaceful world, a tolerant world, a world of 
democracy and freedom. We can do this together by eliminating the 
mullah regime. They are the ones that should be removed from the face 
of the planet, not Iran, but their mullah regime, the dictatorship that 
holds power over them.
  They should go back to the mosque. The people of Iran should be free. 
The people of the region of the Middle East, including the people of 
Israel, should live in peace and harmony with their neighbors. That is 
what this resolution is all about.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my good friend from 
Texas (Mr. Al Green).
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for this opportunity to speak.
  Mr. Speaker, Emily Dickenson said that ``a word is dead when it is 
said some say. I say it just begins to live that day.''
  These words of hate are taking on life, Mr. Speaker. These words of 
hate are a clarion call to us to take affirmative action to make sure 
that this president is never armed with nuclear weapons. This president 
with these words of hate could create a nuclear holocaust, an inferno 
if you will, unlike which even the mind of Dante could imagine.
  We must not allow these words of hate to go unchallenged. This is why 
I rise today. I rise because I support the resolution. I believe that 
this is the appropriate action for us to take as a first step.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Kirk).
  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I praise Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member 
Lantos for bringing this resolution so quickly to the floor.
  Adolf Hitler said when genocide was committed against the Armenians, 
No one will remember. But we remember. When ``Mein Kampf'' was written, 
the dictator said he planned genocide against the Jewish people, but 
the international community ignored his plan and 6 million died in the 
death camp ovens.

                              {time}  1030

  Now, the leader of Iran delivered his ``Mein Kampf'' speech 
committing Iran to a policy of genocide against Israel.
  He told us that he seeks to kill another 6 million Jews in Israel, 
but if Iran builds nuclear weapons and missiles, he will not only 
commit a second Jewish Holocaust, he will also kill 1 million Arabs 
that live in Israel. He would kill them, too. The fallout from his 
attack would also deposit poison on Jordan, and he would kill them, 
too.
  The President of Iran's speech was not religious. It was genocidal. 
The President of Iran's speech was not for the Muslim faithful. It is 
going to lead to the death of Muslims living in Israel and Jordan.
  If the failure of the League of Nations against Hitler teaches us 
anything, it is that the international community must listen to the 
warnings of would-be leaders of genocide and stop them. The United 
Nations, formed out of the ashes of Germany, committed itself to 
stopping men of this kind who plan to commit genocide against other 
Nations.
  Every generation is tested by dictators, and the Iranians are 
becoming our generation's test. Let us join with the United Nations and 
moderate Muslim Nations to say that we have read the lessons of 
history, and we will now act collectively to stop them. This is our 
generation's test, and we owe it to our grandparents who opposed the 
dictators to make this a collective action

[[Page 24206]]

before the danger against millions grows.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the history of the 20th century aptly 
teaches us that when tyrants threaten genocide and mass murder, their 
words must be taken seriously because they have a tendency to do 
exactly what they said they would do.
  When President Ahmadinejad of Iran threatened to destroy Israel, says 
Israel must be wiped off the map, he joined the fellow he defeated in 
the election, the former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who said 
that Israel must be destroyed by nuclear weapons, and it does not 
matter. One nuclear bomb will destroy Israel, and nuclear war will 
merely harm, not destroy, the Islamic world.
  These men must be taken seriously. The threats of genocide must not 
be permitted to be carried out. Iran is the enemy of peace and the 
enemy of order and the enemy of mankind in its behavior and its 
proclaimed intentions. Iran must not be permitted to have nuclear 
weapons.
  It is a shame that this country got diverted into Iraq from focusing 
on the real threat to peace in the world, Iran, and we should focus on 
Iran and make sure they do not get nuclear weapons, and make sure they 
return to peaceful sanity.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good 
friend and distinguished colleague from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois and the 
kind gentleman from California for bringing this resolution to the 
floor today and allowing me to join them as a cosponsor.
  On Wednesday at a speech in front of 4,000 Iranian students, the 
President of Iran called for Israel to be ``wiped off the map.'' He led 
a group of students in chants of ``death to Israel.''
  Our message to Iran and its President is firm. We condemn in the 
strongest terms his dangerous and reckless remarks. These comments are 
a wake-up call to the international community as we deal with Iran's 
attempt to gain access to nuclear technology.
  It goes without saying, Iran's words are a challenge to all members 
of the United Nations and the integrity of the United Nations Charter 
and those who have signed on to it. As a member of the United Nations, 
the President of Iran's comments violate U.N. rules and must be dealt 
with decisively by the United Nations leadership and all those in the 
Security Council.
  This kind of hateful rhetoric, it breeds a terrorism and a violence 
that we saw in the 20th century, and we took steps to deal with that 
type of reckless, hateful speech. Yet, unfortunately, it is what we 
have come to expect from Iran's leadership, but I do not believe that 
spirit or those words represent the aspirations of the Iranian people.
  I support this resolution and urge my colleagues in both parties and 
those in the world body to condemn its hatefulness in all its forms.
  Again, I want to thank my two colleagues from Illinois and from 
California for their leadership and the speed in which they brought 
this resolution to the floor, because today, when it comes to hate, the 
United States Congress speaks with one forceful voice.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my good 
friend and distinguished colleague from Texas (Mr. Gene Green).
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my California colleague 
for yielding me time.
  I rise to condemn in the strongest way statements made by President 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier this week and strongly urge my colleagues 
to join me in supporting the resolution.
  Earlier this week, the President of Iran repeated the late Ayatollah 
Khomeini's call, stating, ``Israel must be wiped off the map,'' 
described Israel as ``a disgraced blot on the face of the Islamic 
world,'' and declared that ``anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in 
the fire of the Islamic nations' fury.''
  These comments are unacceptable and raise concerns about Iran's 
intentions. Does Iran want to be a partner in this world or an outlaw 
regime that is a pariah among nations?
  It is also troubling that this was not just the sentiment of the 
President, but the Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated the President's 
remarks stating, ``The comments expressed by the President are the 
declared and specific policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We don't 
recognize the Zionist regime and don't consider it legitimate.''
  Mr. Speaker, as one of our closest allies, Israel has constantly had 
to defend itself from hostile neighbors supported by Iran. However, it 
poses a new threat with nuclear ambitions not just in the Middle East, 
but to the world, and that is why this statement is outrageous.
  I think our country, by passing this resolution, needs to guarantee 
our continued support for Israel, and I will insert the rest of my 
statement in the Record at this point.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn in the strongest way the 
statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier this 
week I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Earlier this week, President Ahmadinejad repeated the late Ayatollah 
Khomeini's call, stating ``Israel must be wiped off the map,'' 
described Israel as ``a disgraceful blot on the face of the Islamic 
world,'' and declared that ``anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in 
the fire of the Islamic nation's fury.''
  These comments are unacceptable and raise concerns about Iran's 
intentions. Does Iran want to be a partner in this world or an outlaw 
regime that is a pariah among nations. It is also troubling that this 
was not just the sentiment of the President, but that Iranian Foreign 
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reiterated President Admadinejad's remarks 
stating ``the comments expressed by the president are the declared and 
specific policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We don't recognize the 
Zionist regime and don't consider it legitimate.''
  Mr. Speaker, as one of our closest allies, Israel has constantly had 
to defend itself from hostile neighbors, however, Iran poses a new and 
possible more serious threat with its nuclear ambitions.
  When reading about these comments I learned that during a military 
parade in Tehran just a month ago, ``Israel Should Be Wiped Off the 
Map'' was the slogan draped on a Shahab-3 ballistic missile. Six of the 
missiles were displayed in the parade; with a 1,250 mile range, these 
missiles could reach Israel. Nuclear power is dangerous in reasonable 
nations but must be controlled in outlaw countries. Iran has long been 
a threat to Middle East peace and Israel, and President Ahmadinejad's 
remarks underline Iran's hostile intent. We should treat Iran as an 
outlaw government and not only a threat to Israel or our country but 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support his resolution to 
denounce the comments made by President Ahmadinejad and to guarantee 
our support for Israel's security.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, three generations ago, Adolph Hitler threatened to kill 
the Jews of Europe. When he made that statement, the gullible, the 
pseudoso-
phisticates, the appeasers thought that it was only oratory.
  Earlier this year we commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz, where 
a million of those whom Hitler promised to kill were, in fact, 
destroyed in the gas chambers, in the nightmare of that concentration 
camp.
  We now have a similar statement from an equally deranged but serious 
leader of a nation. He is calling for the destruction of another 6 
million, this time Israelis.
  The civilized world must understand that these are not oratorical 
statements, but plans for action. We need to prevent Iran from ever 
obtaining nuclear weapons, and we must do everything in our power to 
have this insane, megalomaniacal regime replaced by a regime of 
responsibility which would be part of the civilized world.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution. 
I want to commend the authors of H. Res. 523, Henry Hyde, Chairman of 
our International Relations Committee, Tom Lantos, the ranking member 
of

[[Page 24207]]

that committee, and a host of others, in their condemnation of the 
words of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On Wednesday, President 
Ahmadinejad presented 4,000 of his country's youth with a diatribe 
against the state of Israel entitled ``A World Without Zionism.'' As 
the resolution pending before the House today states, Ahmadinejad 
described Israel as ``a disgraceful blot on the face of the Islamic 
world'' as well as a place that ``must be wiped off the map.'' As Islam 
is a self-proclaimed religion of peaceful teachings, President 
Ahmadinejad's words are anything but. His portrait of ``Islamic fury'' 
that wishes to ``burn Israel'' turns the entire civilized world against 
him. What kind of leadership is that?
  Unfortunately, Ahmadinejad's words are not the only ones of this kind 
coming from the mouths of Iranian leaders. In 2001, the President of 
Iran's Expediency Council, Ali Akbar Hasemi-Rafsanjani threatened 
Israel with nuclear attack. These words are the latest in a string of 
defiant moves against the international community by Iran. Its uranium 
enrichment program openly disregards the warnings of the International 
Atomic Energy Agency. And we are all well aware that Iran also has been 
credited with harboring terrorists and relaxing border security with 
Iraq to enable entry into that fledgling democracy. These attempts by 
the government of Iran to destabilize Iraq are absolutely despicable 
and cannot be tolerated if Iraq's democracy is to grow.
  In addition to these destabilizing activities in Iraq, Iran has 
openly supported the violent actions of terrorist groups of Hamas and 
Hezbollah, both of whom have repeatedly called for the annihilation of 
Israel and have repeatedly backed up that threat with suicide bombings 
inside Israel. How can the United States' and our allies' attempts to 
spread democracy and promote peace be effective when nations such as 
Iran are protecting and bankrolling such groups?
  This has been a landmark year for the Middle East and Persian Gulf, 
especially in Iraq, Israel and in the Palestinian areas. We have seen 
the extremely successful constitutional reforms and democratic 
elections in Iraq, unwavering in the face of security risks. Israel and 
the Palestinian Authority reached a milestone agreement regarding the 
controversial Gaza strip settlements. In addition, Lebanon moved 
forward in the democratic process by holding elections without 
significant Syrian interference and Bahrain allowed women to vote for 
the first time. If those successes are not indicative of worthy work by 
all nations involved, then I don't know what is.
  The state of Israel, as the only non-Islamic nation in its region, 
has come under fire since its creation in 1947. However, it has 
withstood verbal and physical attack and it will continue to do so with 
the unwavering support of the United States. It is ironic, perhaps, 
that this week, the House passed a resolution which congratulated 
Ambassador Dan Gillerman of Israel as he was elected as a Vice 
President of the United Nations General Assembly. This marks the first 
time that Israel has been included in a U.N. regional grouping and the 
first time an Israeli has served as a U.N. General Assembly Vice 
President. While the international community continues to welcome 
Israel's deeper involvement, Iran refuses not only to recognize 
Israel's right to fully participate in U.N. activities, it also refuses 
to recognize its right to exist.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
523, a resolution to condemn Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 
recent threats against Israel. We were all extremely disturbed to hear 
that President Ahmadinejad called for ``wiping Israel off the map,'' an 
incendiary and inexcusable attack against one of America's closest 
allies and friends. This threat may prove more serious than any other, 
as we all know that Iran insists on developing nuclear capabilities.
  We have already seen harsh condemnations of this hateful speech 
around the world, from British Prime Minister Tony Blair to European 
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to U.N. Secretary General Kofi 
Annan. Now it is our turn, as the elected Representatives of the 
American people, to stand with our Israeli friends and against the 
hatred that is all-too-often pointed in their direction.
  I read a recent Associated Press report that thousands of Iranians 
gathered in the streets today, some seen holding signs that said 
``Death to Israel, Death to America.'' However unfortunate, the signs 
serve as a reminder that America and Israel are closely connected, and 
that we will always stand together for democracy and freedom, and 
against hatred.
  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives to strongly condemn the evil words of the 
President Mahmoud Ahmandinejad and to support H. Res. 523 condemning 
this threat.
  Iran has taken an unprecedented action in threatening to wipe off the 
map another sovereign country, Israel.
  Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and is our staunch 
ally and friend. Threats against Israel and her people are based in 
anti-Semitism and must be utterly and completely condemned by all 
countries in the world who want peace to reign over evil and terror. A 
responsible member of the international community cannot make these 
unprovoked and destructive threats against another member of the 
international community.
  At a time when Iran is flagrantly violating international bodies in 
their calls for transparency and restraint in Iran's nuclear ambitions, 
these comments are all the more concerning to the international 
community. Further, Iran remains the world's leading state-sponsor of 
terror and has praised and supported militant groups such as Islamic 
Jihad who commit suicide bombing atrocities against Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, Iran is not just a threat to Israel, but to the entire 
peaceful world community. The United States must continue to lead in 
efforts not only to keep a check on the danger presented by Iran to the 
world, but also to help achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East. I 
join my colleagues from both parties today in strongly condemning 
Iran's threats against Israel and urge passage of this important 
resolution.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, this morning I voted in favor of H. Res. 523, a 
resolution condemning the hateful statements of Iranian President 
Mahmoud Ahmadineja on October 26, 2005 against Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, these statements are not only outrageous, but must be 
denounced in the strongest possible terms.
  Such inflammatory vitriol only contributes to destabilizing the 
Middle East. That's why, Mr. Speaker, we must redouble our efforts for 
the cause of peace in the region and work with all our international 
partners, including multilateral institutions, to ensure that Iran does 
not acquire nuclear weapons.
  In supporting the Resolution and voting to condemn these statements 
today, I do so knowing that the Resolution is not intended to provide 
legal justification, nor may it be cited in support, for pre-emptive 
military action against Iran.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in strong support of H. 
Res. 523, a resolution condemning Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 
declaration that ``Israel must be wiped off the map.''
  At a time when so many are working to foster peace and enhance 
security in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad's comments are not 
only abhorrent, but also place that already very troubled region in 
further jeopardy. His statement warrants a swift, unequivocal 
condemnation from Congress as well as the United Nations and all 
countries around the world that are concerned about troubling changes 
in Iranian foreign policy under President Ahmadinejad.
  Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important 
resolution, and condemn the Iranian President's remarks in the 
strongest possible terms.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 523, 
which condemns the recent threats against Israel made by Iranian 
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian President recently delared 
that ``Israel must be wiped off the map,'' described Israel as ``a 
disgraceful blot [on] the face of the Islamic world,'' and declared 
that ``[a]nybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the 
Islamic nation's fury.''
  I join my collagues in condemning these remarks and threats against 
the state of Israel. Iran should repudiate these statements. The United 
Nations Security Council should condemn these statements and censure 
Iran for its statements and policies aimed at destroying Israel. These 
despicable comments only serve to legitimize and fuel those that preach 
hatred and anti-Semitism in the Middle East.
  Earlier this year we marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of 
the Auschwitz concentration camps by Soviet Army troops, which served 
as a reminder of the consequences of allowing anti-Semitism to 
flourish. I have worked closely with my colleagues on the U.S. Helsinki 
Commission and my fellow parliamentarians in the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe to take measures aimed at 
eradicating the threat of anti-Semitism and hate throughout the world.
  In 2004 the OSCE's Conference on Anti-Semitism produced the historic 
Berlin Declaration which condemns ``without reserve all manifestations 
of and attacks motivated by anti-Semitism,'' notes that anti-Semitism 
has ``assumed new forms and expressions . . .

[[Page 24208]]

which pose a threat to democracy and the values of civilization,'' and 
``declares unambiguously that international developments or political 
issues, including those in Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East, 
never justify anti-Semitism.''
  Iran has actively supported numerous terrorist groups over the years 
and has attempted to undermine the peace process between the 
Palestinians and Israelis. Iran has funded suicide bombers and militant 
organizations that are seeking to kill and maim Israelis, including 
civilians. Iran is still seeking weapons of mass destruction, and has 
deceived the internatibnal community in the past about its intentions. 
Next month the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, will meet on 
this issue, and I would urge the IAEA to refer this matter to the U.N. 
Security Council for the consideration of sanctions.
  The House should also take up and pass legislation to strengthen the 
Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA). I was pleased to support the five-year 
extension of ILSA when it was considered by th House Ways and Means 
Committee in 2001. H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act would repeal 
the sunset of ILSA, close some loopholes in ILSA, provide assistance to 
pro-democracy organizations in Iran, and require ILSA to remain in 
effect until the President certifies to Congress that Iran has 
permanently and verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction 
programs and has committed to combating such weapons' proliferation.
  I am pleased that the European Union, Canada, and Russia have 
condemned the remarks of the Irania President. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution, and to work with our allies to promote 
democracy in Iran, convince Iran to give up its pursuit of WMD, and 
fight anti-Semitism wherever it arises.
  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I voted in favor H. Res. 523. President 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's threats against Israel are appalling and 
contemptible. I believe that all nations should strongly condemn these 
remarks. However, I do not want my vote to be misconstrued as a vote in 
support of a carte blanche measure to wage war against Iran, or any 
other country. The language in this resolution calls on ``all civilized 
nations to consider measures to deny Iran the means to carry out its 
threats and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.'' This 
statement means just that, all nations should consider measures against 
Iran, it does not authorize the use of force against Iran. I share the 
world's concern about Iran acquiring weapons of mass destruction and it 
is imperative that we continue to pursue diplomatic avenues. I do not 
support, at this time, the use of military force and my vote in favor 
of this resolution is and should not be interpreted as a vote 
authorizing such action.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues here in condemning 
the statement reportedly made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 
that ``Israel must be wiped off the map.'' I reject this statement and 
any such statement by any government anywhere because I reject the 
notion that the use or threat of violence is an appropriate way to 
solve international disputes.
  While rejecting comments by Iran that seem to advocate the use of 
force, I must also strongly object to using Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 
statement as an excuse to escalate our own rhetoric and strengthen our 
anti-Iranian and anti-Muslim policies. This condemnable statement is 
nevertheless being conveniently used to expand our policy of remaking 
the Middle East in our own image.
  I do find it interesting to hear my colleagues condemning Iran's 
implied threat of force while in the same breath calling for the use of 
force against Iran. Ironically, it is small step from repeatedly 
calling Iran ``our enemy'' with increasingly militaristic rhetoric to 
calling for Iran to be ``wiped off the map.'' We should keep this in 
mind as we condemn the rhetoric of others while repeating similar 
rhetoric ourselves.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of this resolution condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 
threats against Israel. Not in recent time have we heard such a 
repugnant statement made by an international leader. And I stand here 
today with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to declare that 
the United States Congress will not sit idly by while Iran threatens 
Israel with anti-Semitic, racist, and dangerous threats.
  Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has sought to live in peace 
with its neighbors. It has signed peace agreements with Egypt and 
Jordan, and continues to seek a two-state solution with the 
Palestinians.
  On the contrary, Iran continues to seek instability in the Middle 
East. For Iran's dictatorial regime, instability is power. Its actions 
combined with its anti-Semitic and anti-Western statements seek to 
accomplish nothing more than incite hate and violence in the region. 
President Ahmadinejad's comments represent Iran's long-term goal of 
violently destroying Israel. Most despicable about these statements is 
that Iranian leaders make them ``in the name of Allah.'' They attempt 
to manipulate the text of the Koran from its words of peace into 
directives of extremism and intolerance, tainting the world's views of 
the religion.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Iran are calling out for freedom from the 
tyrannical regime which holds them hostage. While it is not the role of 
the United States to free the people of Iran, it is certainly our job 
to support them--and we will when they and their leaders choose 
democracy over autocracy and instability. Until then, the United States 
will never stand by when Iranian threats are levied at Israel or any 
other democracy in the world. The world can always count on that.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support 
of H. Res. 523, a resolution condemning the unprovoked and incendiary 
statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
  On October 26, 2005, President Ahmadinejad described Israel as a 
``disgraceful blot'' that should be ``wiped off the map'', and declared 
that those who recognize Israel ``will burn in the fire of the Islamic 
nation's fury''.
  While Mr. Ahmadinejad's dangerous rhetoric is reason enough for 
alarm, it is even more frightening that Mr. Ahmadinejad and the Iranian 
regime have demonstrated a willingness to follow through on these 
statements.
  In recent years, Iran has stepped up its efforts to initiate terror 
against Israel by directly funding and providing safe haven, training 
and weapons to Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. And just hours after 
his speech, Islamic Jihad, benefiting from this support, killed 5 
Israeli citizens in a terrorist attack in Northern Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ahmadinejad has blood on his hands and we must stand 
strong against this menacing threat by passing this resolution.
  Furthermore, I call on my colleagues to support the Iran Freedom 
Support Act, which would tighten and codify sanctions against Iran, and 
I urge the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to 
thwart Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran's bellicose 
words and aggressive behavior must be met by a strong, united reaction 
by the United States and the international community.
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on October 26, 2005, Iranian 
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that ``Israel must be wiped off 
the map.'' It is shocking and unbelievable that the leader of any 
nation would call for the complete destruction of another.
  These types of threats cannot stand unanswered. I join my colleagues 
today in condemning the president of Iran's remarks in the strongest of 
terms.
  While the peace process has been moving along in the Middle East 
without much participation from the Bush administration, Iran continues 
to pursue nuclear armament with little interest shown by the president, 
and the United States remains bogged down in Iraq.
  I hope these unconscionable statements will cause the Bush 
administration to renew its commitment to our allies in the region.
  Let us make no mistake, such statements present a serious threat to 
the world. Iran's leaders are pursuing nuclear armament, and continue 
to call for the destruction of the state of Israel, one of the United 
States most important allies.
  The statements made by President Ahmadinejad are not just a threat 
against the people of Israel, but they are a threat to the peace and 
stability of the entire world.
  These words of hate must not go unanswered or unchallenged. The 
United States and the United Nations must stand firmly against such 
threats.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution and join my colleagues in condemning the vile statement 
made this week by Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, when he called 
for Israel to be ``wiped off the map.'' Such words are not empty 
rhetoric but poison aimed at inspiring hate, violence and terrorism. 
The fact that these words were spoken before an audience of 4,000 
students is a dark and ominous demonstration of the current Iranian 
president's pathological leadership.
  Israel is a sovereign democracy in which free people deserve the 
right to live in peace and without fear of terror or threats. While 
this dangerous man speaks venom, the people of Iran must be reminded 
that the people of the U.S. and the entire Congress stand in strong 
support of Israel. As Israel exists today, so will it exist one hundred 
years from now, and I hope, a thousand years from now, as a strong and 
inseparable partner of the American people.

[[Page 24209]]

  Iran's president is the voice of hatred and moral corruption. It is a 
voice not to be ignored, but guarded against. The people of Iran are 
not served by this voice and neither is the civilized world. President 
Ahmadinejad must be placed on notice by all nations of the world and 
all voices of civility and dignity--the people of Israel are our 
brothers and sisters and such a threat is not only a threat against 
Israel but against the entire world community. Collectively we seek 
peace, but we also deserve security, the U.S., Israel and all nations 
that reject these virulent sentiments.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for H. Res. 523 and 
join my colleagues in condemning Iranian President Mahmoud 
Ahmadinejad's threats against Israel.
  This week, during an anti-Zionist conference in Tehran, the Iranian 
President called for Israel to be ``wiped off the map'' and led group 
chants of ``death to Israel.'' Standing beside Sheikh Nasrallah, leader 
of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization, he called for 
violence against Israel and all states that recognize her existence.
  Leaders around the world responded with forceful condemnation. At the 
U.N., Secretary General Annan acted swiftly to reject Iran's unprovoked 
hostility.
  Now, it is time for the U.N. to stand up as an institution and rebuke 
Iran for its actions. It is time for the U.N., which has a long history 
of unfair treatment of Israel, to speak out loudly and clearly in 
support of its existence.
  Iran's threats against Israel violate the fundamental U.N. Charter 
principle of sovereign equality for all member states. The danger of 
its rhetoric is only underscored by its open support for terrorist 
groups that attack Israel, and its determination to develop nuclear 
weapons and obtain long-range missiles capable of striking Israel.
  This alarming incident demonstrates that the international community 
must redouble its efforts to shut down Iran's nuclear program before 
the regime has the capability to try and carry out its evil designs.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I strongly condemn the deplorable 
remarks made this week by the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmandinejad 
and I commend my colleagues, Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Henry 
Hyde (R-IL), for authoring this important resolution--H. Res. 523, 
Condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmandinejad's threats against 
Israel--and bringing it to the floor of the House of Representatives.
  The statement by Iran's President that ``Israel must be wiped off the 
map'' demands the strongest condemnation from the entire international 
community. Moreover, it is reprehensible that Mr. Ahmandinejad made 
these statements to a group of students. In an area of the world where 
violence has led to intense hardship and suffering the Iranian 
President's statement only promotes more violence. It is a sad day when 
the leader of Iran would poison the minds of young people rather than 
inspire them to build a peaceful Middle East.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from 
California for his superb support for this important resolution, as 
well as the other Members who spoke.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the order of the House today, the resolution is 
considered read and the previous question is ordered on the resolution 
and on the preamble.
  The question is on the resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

                          ____________________