[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16551]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRANIAN CONSTITUTIONAL 
                               REVOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, next month marks the 100th anniversary 
of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution, a pivotal event in Persian 
and Middle Eastern history. In the face of a corrupt and authoritarian 
monarchy, and in order to defend Persian interests against British and 
Russian imperialism, the Persian people rose up and forced the creation 
of a parliament and the adoption of a constitution containing basic 
democratic rights for the first time in Iranian history.
  To mark these events, I will be introducing a resolution recognizing 
and honoring the 100th anniversary of the Iranian Constitutional 
Revolution, which I have drafted with the support of leading members of 
the Iranian-American community and the input of preeminent scholars of 
modern Iranian history.
  At a time when the United States faces very serious and difficult 
issues with regards to Iran, this historic event demonstrates that the 
Iranian people have a long-standing desire for democratic self-
government, free from authoritarian rule or foreign interference. I 
believe that understanding these values common to the Iranian and 
American peoples, as well as Iran's political history, will help us 
develop a constructive policy towards Iran. It is also an important 
sign of support for the Iranian people and our Iranian-American 
constituents.

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