[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11390-11395]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING ANNIVERSARY OF DISPUTED IRANIAN 
                               ELECTIONS

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1457) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives on the one-year anniversary of the Government of Iran's 
fraudulent manipulation of Iranian elections, the Government of Iran's 
continued denial of human rights and democracy to the people of Iran, 
and the Government of Iran's continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons 
capability.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1457

       Whereas Iran's authoritarian system of government violates 
     numerous international norms and principles of democratic 
     governance;

[[Page 11391]]

       Whereas June 12, 2009, was the date scheduled for Iranian 
     presidential elections, in which only candidates approved by 
     the Government of Iran's Guardian Council were allowed to 
     compete;
       Whereas the ensuing announcement by Iranian authorities of 
     an ``overwhelming victory'' for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was made 
     suspiciously early;
       Whereas reported vote counts in the June 12, 2009, election 
     were inconsistent with Iranian demographics and political 
     trends, including provinces in which more votes were 
     allegedly cast than the number of registered voters and vote 
     counts that indicated unusual pro-Ahmadinejad voting patterns 
     by traditionally anti-Ahmadinejad constituencies;
       Whereas the Government of Iran's unrealistic vote count and 
     fraudulent announcement of election results prompted millions 
     of Iranians to rush into the streets in protest and prompted 
     unprecedented public criticism by Iranians of the 
     authoritarian rulers of the Government of Iran;
       Whereas the Government of Iran, Iranian riot police, 
     members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Basij militias 
     engaged in a brutal crackdown on the Iranian people in the 
     aftermath of the disputed presidential election of June 12, 
     2009, killing, injuring, or imprisoning many Iranians, 
     stifling freedom of speech, press, and assembly and violating 
     fundamental human rights;
       Whereas, on June 19, 2009, the House of Representatives 
     overwhelmingly adopted H. Res. 560 which ``(1) expresses its 
     support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of 
     freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law; (2) 
     condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the 
     Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as 
     the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic 
     communication through interference with the Internet and 
     cellphones; and (3) affirms the universality of individual 
     rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections'';
       Whereas, on June 23, 2009, President Barack Obama denounced 
     the Government of Iran's crackdown on the Iranian people, 
     stating that ``The United States and the international 
     community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the 
     beatings and imprisonments of the last few days'', that ``I 
     strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the 
     American people in mourning each and every innocent life that 
     is lost'', and that the United States must ``bear witness to 
     the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a 
     remarkable opening within Iranian society'';
       Whereas, on December 27, 2009, the Shiite Muslim holiday of 
     Ashura was observed and at least eight Iranian civilians were 
     killed and hundreds arrested in confrontations with the 
     Iranian authorities;
       Whereas the Government of Iran is violating its 
     international and constitutional obligations to respect the 
     human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens by--
       (1) using arbitrary or unlawful killings, beatings, rape, 
     torture, and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or 
     punishment, including flogging and amputations;
       (2) carrying out an increasingly high rate of executions in 
     the absence of internationally recognized safeguards, 
     including public executions and executions of juvenile 
     offenders;
       (3) using stoning as a method of execution and maintaining 
     a high number of persons in prison who continue to face 
     sentences of execution by stoning;
       (4) carrying out arrests, violent repression, and 
     sentencing of women exercising their right to peaceful 
     assembly, a campaign of intimidation against women defenders 
     of human rights, and continuing discrimination against women 
     and girls;
       (5) permitting or carrying out increasing discrimination 
     and other human rights violations against persons belonging 
     to religious, ethnic, linguistic, or other minority 
     communities;
       (6) imposing ongoing, systematic, and serious restrictions 
     of freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom 
     of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures 
     of media outlets, arrests of journalists, the censorship of 
     expression and of the press in newspapers and online forums 
     such as blogs and websites, as well as blockage or disruption 
     of Internet-based communications and of mobile phone and text 
     messaging networks; and
       (7) imposing severe limitations and restrictions on freedom 
     of religion and belief by carrying out arbitrary arrests, 
     indefinite detentions, and lengthy jail sentences for those 
     exercising their rights to freedom of religion or belief and 
     by proposing a mandatory death sentence for apostasy, the 
     abandoning of one's faith;

       Whereas according to the Department of State's Country 
     Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009, Iran's ``poor 
     human rights record degenerated during the year . . . the 
     government severely limited citizens' right to change their 
     government peacefully through free and fair elections . . . 
     authorities held political prisoners and intensified a 
     crackdown against women's rights reformers, ethnic minority 
     rights activists, student activists, and religious 
     minorities'';
       Whereas hundreds of political prisoners remain imprisoned 
     by the Government of Iran;
       Whereas Ahmad Jannati, who heads the Government of Iran's 
     powerful Guardian Council, has called for the execution of 
     more dissidents and protestors, and a senior official of the 
     Iranian ``judiciary'' has stated that the Government of Iran 
     will soon execute further dissidents;
       Whereas thousands of Iranian citizens have continued to 
     peacefully and courageously assemble and protest against the 
     Government of Iran's denial of human rights and democracy to 
     the people of Iran;
       Whereas article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human 
     Rights recognizes that ``(1) Everyone has the right to take 
     part in the government of his country, directly or through 
     freely chosen representatives; (2) Everyone has the right of 
     equal access to public service in his country; (3) The will 
     of the people shall be the basis of the authority of 
     government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and 
     genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal 
     suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent 
     free voting procedures'';
       Whereas the United States supports the right of the 
     citizens of Iran to freedom and democratic governance, 
     including the right to select their political leaders in 
     free, democratic, and independent elections;
       Whereas the Government of Iran is pursuing a nuclear 
     weapons capability which, if obtained, would usher in a 
     dangerous new era of instability in the Gulf and the Middle 
     East, and allow the Government of Iran to act with impunity 
     in the face of international pressure to cease its dangerous 
     international behavior and its horrific human rights abuses;
       Whereas Iran continues to enrich uranium and carry out 
     other nuclear activities in violation of United Nations 
     Security Council Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 
     (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), and 1929 (2010);
       Whereas Iran has failed to cooperate with International 
     Atomic Energy Agency inspectors looking into the possible 
     military nature of the Iranian nuclear program, including by 
     denying inspectors access to facilities, people, and 
     documents; and
       Whereas according to the Department of State's Country 
     Reports on Terrorism, Iran remains ``the most active state 
     sponsor of terrorism'', continues to provide arms, financing, 
     training, and other support to Hamas, Hezbollah, and other 
     groups designated by the United States as foreign terrorist 
     organizations, in addition to providing lethal support to 
     violent militants in Iraq and Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) reaffirms its support for all Iranian citizens who 
     courageously struggle for freedom, human rights, civil 
     liberties, and the protection of the rule of law;
       (2) condemns the ongoing violence and human rights abuses 
     against the people of Iran by the Government of Iran and pro-
     government militias, as well as the ongoing government 
     suppression of independent electronic communication through 
     interference with the Internet and cell phones;
       (3) condemns the Government of Iran's continued pursuit of 
     a nuclear weapons capability and unconventional weapons and 
     ballistic missile capabilities, and its use of its nuclear 
     program to distract attention from its horrific abuses of the 
     human rights of the Iranian people;
       (4) urges the immediate release of all political prisoners 
     detained by the Government of Iran and the immediate end of 
     all harassment and violence against the people of Iran by the 
     Government of Iran and pro-government militias;
       (5) reaffirms the universality of individual human and 
     political rights; and
       (6) calls for freedom and democracy for the people of Iran, 
     including fair, democratic, and independent elections in 
     Iran.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include any extraneous materials on this resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution 
today, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Resolution 1457 expresses the sense of the House of 
Representatives on the 1-year anniversary of the Government of Iran's 
manipulation of the Iranian elections, the continued denial of human 
rights, and their continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. 
And I would like to thank my

[[Page 11392]]

friend, Congressman Judge Poe of Texas, for joining me in the 
introduction of this important resolution.
  Madam Speaker, just over a year ago, on June 12, 2009, the world 
watched as Iran's rulers manipulated and stole an election for their 
chosen candidate, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Thousands of Iranians took to 
the streets following that sham presidential election that had been 
orchestrated for the regime. Following that, we all know what happened. 
So we speak in this resolution on the anniversary of that disputed 
election result because I believe, and those who are supporting this 
resolution believe, that Congress must reaffirm its commitment to 
supporting democracy and freedom around the world, including in Iran.
  We know that as the street protest continued against the fraudulent 
election and it intensified, the Government of Iran, its riot police, 
and members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps engaged in a brutal 
crackdown on the Iranian people. Sadly, many Iranians were injured, 
imprisoned, or killed.
  Human rights in Iran, we know, have deteriorated precipitously over 
the years since the first election of President Ahmadinejad. But since 
that disputed presidential election last year, Iran's slide into what 
is clearly a brutal dictatorship has sharply accelerated. Iran's 
Revolutionary Guard, its militia, and its police arbitrarily arrest 
thousands of peaceful protesters and dissidents, including students, 
women's rights activists, lawyers, and journalists, in a clear effort 
to intimidate their critics and stifle dissent. This regime obviously 
cannot withstand these critics.

                              {time}  1420

  But as champions of freedom and democracy, the United States must, 
must condemn these abuses of this Iranian regime whenever possible as 
we witness such actions around the world. It is in our Constitution, 
and it is one of the reasons why we still remain a beacon of light 
around the world as we stand up for human rights, human rights that 
have sadly been abused in Iran by this regime.
  But it's not just in our Constitution. In the Koran it states: Help 
one another in a righteousness and goodness way. Help not one another 
when in sin and aggression.
  Clearly, this despotic regime in Iran is engaged in full-time sin and 
aggression of its own people. But this quote, of course, is from the 
Koran, which is the book of the major religion of the people of Iran. 
Yet they violate their own faith in this way.
  Madam Speaker, the people of the United States stand behind the 
people of Iran, who simply want to live their lives in peace and 
freedom, free of the brutal oppression of their government. Let us be 
clear: At the end of the day, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is nothing more than 
a bully and a dictator. His regime uses every tactic they can to subdue 
and terrorize their own people.
  And we need to recognize this phony regime for what it is. It's a 
killer of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press. 
And I believe that when history is written, that the record of this 
terrorism regime in the 21st century will compare, sadly, to those same 
brutal dictatorships that we witnessed in the 20th century. I am 
talking about Hitler, Stalin, Tojo, and Mussolini. That is the level of 
despotic dictatorship that we are witnessing today in Iran.
  So, therefore, this resolution before us confirms Congress's support 
for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom, human rights, and 
civil liberties. It condemns the ongoing violence and human rights 
abuses against the people of Iran by their government, and it urges 
immediate release of all political prisoners detained by this regime.
  House Resolution 1457 also calls for freedom and democracy for the 
people of Iran, including fair, democratic, and independent elections, 
unlike the ones that were held a year ago. Finally, this resolution 
condemns the Government of Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons 
capability and a ballistic missiles program, for clearly we know what 
they are intended for.
  This is especially timely, Madam Speaker, since later this week the 
House is expected to vote on the conference committee report H.R. 2194. 
We hope by the end of this week, certainly by next week. The Iran 
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 is an important 
measure. I am proud to be a conferee on the conference committee. This 
piece of legislation represents, I think, a monumental step toward our 
fight against Iran's nuclear proliferation. These sanctions reinforce 
and go far beyond the enacted United Nations sanctions aimed at 
persuading Iran to change its conduct that was voted on over a week 
ago.
  These tough new petroleum and financial sanctions will restrict the 
ability of Iran's regime and its thugs to continue their nuclear 
aspirations and their oppression of the Iranian people. The legislation 
also increases penalties for sanction violations and bolsters the U.S. 
trade embargo against Iran. These sanctions will send a strong signal 
that our Nation will not stand for the escalation of this regime's aims 
at a nuclear arms program, especially with violent threats against our 
strategic ally Israel, and the threat of that ally and its impact 
throughout the regions of Europe and Southeast Asia, along with the 
Middle East.
  Clearly, their medium-range missiles are capable of reaching all of 
those countries within that area, and, therefore, we stand with Israel 
and our allies. These sanctions are a powerful step forward. We must 
continue to take all necessary actions and to keep every option on the 
table to prevent nuclear arms races in that region.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this important 
resolution and to send a strong message to Iran and the entire world 
that America will not stand by while these human rights abuses continue 
and they continue to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to 
the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, an esteemed member of our 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the coauthor of this resolution before 
us.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from Florida 
for yielding. I also want to thank my friend from California (Mr. 
Costa) for introducing this Resolution 1457, and I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of this important resolution.
  The people of Iran are under the oppression of the little fellow from 
the desert, Ahmadinejad. And the little fella claimed that he won the 
election last year, but the whole world knows, including he, that he 
stole the election in Iran. The people of Iran want democracy, they 
want freedom, and so they took to the streets opposing the little 
fella. And what did he do? He retaliated. He used his henchmen, his 
goon squad to come out and brutalize his own people, who were unarmed 
but yet taking to the streets wanting freedom and a legitimate 
election. He injured them; he beat them; he hung them, and he shot 
them, peaceful Iranians wanting freedom and democracy.
  But the folks of Iran were not going to be intimidated by the crimes 
committed against them in their pursuit for freedom and a free 
election, so they have continued to speak out. By continuing to speak 
out, of course, more of them get arrested. As my friend from California 
mentioned, it includes everybody: Women and children, lawyers and 
journalists. They are all arrested, brutalized, and some are killed in 
the name of keeping the little fella, Ahmadinejad, in power in Iran.
  This past week in Paris, France, 100,000 people, mainly Iranians, 
marched in support of freedom and democracy for their homeland in Iran. 
And it's important that we in America let everybody know where we stand 
when it comes to freedom versus tyranny, freedom versus a dictatorship, 
that we stand by the people of the nation who want self-determination 
and freedom.
  The Iranians kind of wonder where we stand as a Nation. They are 
concerned because, you see, they get their government-controlled media 
and it tells them one thing, that the United States is not supportive. 
So we need to

[[Page 11393]]

make it clear to them that we do support them. And they don't want 
weapons. They don't want armament. They don't want even money. They 
just want to know that this country, the center and hope for the world 
when it comes to human rights and democracy, stands with the people, 
the people of Iran in their quest to control their own destiny and 
control their own government.
  There is no freedom in Iran as long as this regime is in power and 
Ahmadinejad continues to be the dictator, the tyrant of the desert who 
threatens to destroy not only our ally Israel, but destroy the West as 
soon as he can get his hands on those nuclear weapons.
  He needs to go. His time has come. It needs to go. And the way that 
that can happen is when the people of Iran take control of their own 
country. The best hope for the Iranians, the best hope for the world, 
Madam Speaker, is for a regime change in Iran by the people of Iran. So 
we should support that endeavor. We should tell those freedom-loving 
folks, those sons of liberty, those daughters of democracy, that we in 
America, halfway around the world, who believe in liberty and believe 
in democracy and believe in freedom, we stand with them. We support 
them morally, and we support them because they have the right to 
determine their own destiny.
  Our quarrel as a Nation is not with the people of Iran. Our quarrel 
is with this dictator, this tyrant, the little fellow from the desert 
who wants to destroy his own nation and the rest of the world as well.

                              {time}  1430

  So I support this resolution and I want to compliment the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Costa) for bringing this to the floor.
  And that's just the way it is.
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) 
for his good remarks, as always.
  I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada 
(Ms. Berkley).
  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa). We have worked on many issues, this being one 
of the most important, and I thank him for yielding some time to me.
  It has been 1 year since Ahmadinejad and his thugs stole the election 
in Iran. The world watched with shock as 1 million Iranians took to the 
streets of Tehran to protest the so-called results of the sham 
election, and dismay as the protesters were cruelly squelched. The 
world was horrified as we watched a beautiful Iranian woman killed in 
the prime of her life as she peacefully protested the election results.
  I stand with the people of Iran as they protest the continued denial 
of human rights and democracy by their illegal government. Iran's 
government is on a very dangerous path. They are the state sponsors of 
terrorism across the planet. They are the main sponsors of Hamas, and 
we watch Hamas cruelly treat the Palestinian people in the Gaza like 
animals more than people. We know that the Iranians are supporting 
Hezbollah in Lebanon and transporting weapons to them that could be 
used against Israel. We watch as they infiltrate South America through 
Venezuela, trying to spread their tentacles of hate and terrorism 
across the planet. We have a very serious problem with Iran. They will 
not join the family of civilized countries that are trying to improve 
this world. Quite the contrary. They are the main obstacle to peace 
everywhere.
  In addition to their exporting of terrorism and supporting of 
terrorist organizations, the threat to wipe Israel off the map, what is 
this dangerous country doing? It is attempting to acquire nuclear 
weapons with all deliberate speed. When there is a president of a rogue 
nation that is supporting terrorism and terrorists across the planet, 
that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel, that talks 
with great disparagement about western civilization, particularly the 
United States of America, when a country like this is attempting to 
acquire nuclear weapons, it is time for the world to wake up and 
recognize that they say what they mean, they mean what they say, and 
the Iranian Government must be stopped at all costs.
  I stand with the Iranian people. I support them and I thank them for 
having the courage to stand up to their own government. It is not easy 
to do when you know if you stand up, chances are you will be killed. I 
thank them very much for doing that, and I thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) for bringing this to our attention through this 
resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, in discussions about the Iranian regime's pursuit of a 
nuclear weapons program, or its state sponsorship of violent 
extremists, the persecution that the thugs in Tehran inflict on 
ordinary Iranians, that is sometimes overlooked. This is particularly 
true on the international stage.
  The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned the democratic 
Jewish State of Israel over and over again for defending herself, but 
has not once condemned the Iranian regime's brutality against the 
Iranian people.
  Iran, a regime that stones women to death, was elected by acclamation 
to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Let me repeat that 
again; it is so absurd, it is almost incomprehensible. It is 
incomprehensible. Iran, a regime that stones women to death, was 
elected by acclamation to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. 
This is a Kafkaesque scenario.
  So it is all the more important that we in this House stand in 
solidarity with the Iranian people and with all of those who support 
and defend human rights, support and defend democracy, support and 
defend freedom. We must also be clear and steadfast in describing and 
condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, of which there are 
many.
  Those in power in Tehran practice torture, flogging, rape, 
amputation, and murder. The regime conducts systematic, official 
discrimination against women, Baha'is, Christians, Jews, dissident 
Muslims, and many others. No one is exempt.
  All seven members of the national Baha'i leadership in Iran remain in 
prison, where they have been held unjustly for 2 years and are on trial 
for trumped-up charges that potentially carry the death penalty. Gay 
people are hanged from cranes, even as their very existence in Iran is 
denied by Ahmadinejad.
  Since the sham ``elections''--using the term loosely--1 year ago, the 
regime has intensified its repression, increasing restrictions on the 
freedom of religion, expression, association, assembly and the press.
  What is left?
  Thousands of protesters, dissidents, journalists have been 
arbitrarily detained or killed, with innocent people shot on the 
street, and the Stalinesque show-trials continue.
  Even Iranians who succeed in fleeing their country are reportedly 
still in danger as agents of the Iranian regime threaten with death if 
they continue to speak out and protest human rights violations by 
Tehran.
  Despite this repression, the people of Tehran continue to put their 
lives on the line in pursuit of freedom, and the United States and 
other responsible nations must stand with them. There are many further 
steps we can take to help at this critical time. Above all, we must do 
no harm. Negotiation with the regime legitimizes its illegitimate 
leaders and distracts attention from their repressive acts.
  We must hit the regime where it hurts by fully implementing sanctions 
targeting the regime's vulnerabilities, both existing sanctions and the 
new ones that Congress will soon enact. The same refined petroleum 
products and other petro-dollars that bankrolled the regime's weapons 
program also bankrolled its repression of human rights. Requiring the 
immediate implementation and enforcement of comprehensive sanctions can 
help stop both of these threats.
  We must also support those who seek human rights for Iran and monitor 
abuses, such as the Iran Human Rights

[[Page 11394]]

Documentation Center, which has actually seen its funding cut. And as 
the beacon of liberty and democracy to the entire world, the United 
States must do our duty to name and shame the guilty. Because we must 
take an all-of-the-above approach to this issue, I introduced H.R. 
4649, the bipartisan Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act which was 
introduced in the Senate by John McCain and Joe Lieberman. That 
legislation requires the President to designate and sanction those who 
violate the human rights of Iranians. I am gratified that some versions 
of this bill will be included in the Iran sanctions conference report 
that Congress will soon consider.
  And given the importance of human rights for the Iranian people and 
worldwide, I am proud to strongly support the resolution before us 
today, H. Res. 1457. This resolution marks the 1-year anniversary of 
the Iranian people's mass uprising against the regime's fraud, 
manipulation, and repression; and it also condemns the regime's 
brutality.
  Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms our support for all Iranians 
who courageously struggle for freedom. It urges the immediate release 
of all political prisoners and calls for freedom and democracy for the 
people of Iran, including fair, democratic and independent elections.
  I would like to thank the authors of this resolution, distinguished 
members of our Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Costa) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). This legislation 
builds on a resolution that Judge Poe introduced 6 months ago, as well 
as a resolution introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. McCaul). I appreciate the long-standing efforts of all of these 
Members on this important issue.
  Ultimately, the purpose of this resolution reflects the words of 
Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, words that 
are salient to any discussion on the status of human rights in Iran 
under that brutal regime: ``We must always take sides. Neutrality helps 
the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, 
never the tormented.''

                              {time}  1440

  With these words in mind, we must take sides. We must act together in 
support of the people of Iran. I urge my colleagues to support this 
important resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I, too, want to thank my friend and 
colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for her 
strong bipartisan comments on a resolution that there is strong 
bipartisan support for, as witnessed by the statements here this 
afternoon.
  Make no mistake about it, Madam Speaker, and to those who are 
listening. This resolution is about human rights violations in Iran. 
This resolution is about the despotic, sham regime that is currently 
governing in Iran that is oppressing the people of that country. This 
resolution speaks to the higher values and goals that are enshrined in 
our country's Constitution and Bill of Rights, those freedoms that we 
hold most dear, that are at the end of the day the basis for all human 
rights, not just in our country but throughout the world.
  Therefore, today, the Congress must speak to these human rights 
violations that are existing in Iran. Today, the Congress must voice 
its opinion on the despotic rule of this regime, and by passing this 
resolution in a bipartisan fashion, we will not only put the House of 
Representatives firmly on record as to the year anniversary of the sham 
election that took place in Iran, but we will also reiterate our strong 
support for sanctions against this country that, in fact, is violating 
these human rights and that is turning its back on the rest of the 
world.
  Make no mistake about it. The Iranian Government today, not its 
people but the Iranian Government today, is, in my view, the largest 
concern not only in the Middle East but throughout the world in terms 
of achieving peace that we all hold most dear. The goals of peace in 
the Middle East and throughout the world are at greatest risk by the 
actions and the activities and the supports of terrorist activities by 
this Iranian regime, whether it be to Hezbollah, whether it be to 
Hamas, or whether it be to other terrorist groups that it supports in 
so many different ways because they know at the end of the day they 
cannot support the family of nations throughout the world in expressing 
freedoms that we hold most dear.
  So I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
resolution. I want to thank the Chairman and commend Mr. Costa and Mr. 
Poe for their work on the resolution.
  The anniversary of the uprising of the Iranian people to secure their 
democratic rights is a solemn occasion. The images from last year of 
ordinary Iranians showing unbelievable courage in challenging the 
ruthless and vicious theocracy that controls Iran resonated powerfully 
with Americans. Recalling the late 1980s and the collapse of Communism, 
many have begun to hope that this wholly indigenous movement, by virtue 
of its own success, and entirely for its own reasons, will throw on to 
the ash-heap of history the brutal, irresponsible, and vicious regime 
of the mullahs.
  I don't think any one believes the current leadership of the Islamic 
Republic of Iran will go quietly or easily into retirement. And I think 
it would be foolish to assume that a reformed Iranian government would 
automatically be very friendly to the United States, or be less 
committed to the pursuit of its own national interests. But there is 
good reason to think that a different Iranian government, one that was 
truly answerable to the aspirations of the Iranian people, would 
transform the politics of the Middle East, dramatically change the 
global struggle against violent Islamic extremism and, potentially, 
salvage the global non-proliferation regime.
  But as we think about how we can aid the Green Movement, I believe we 
need to be especially careful and thoughtful. There is, unfortunately, 
a painful history of American intervention in Iranian affairs, and we 
should, at the very least, have some humility about our ability to 
competently shape highly politicized and dynamic events in other 
nations.
  Iran is a sovereign state whose people are struggling bravely for 
their own freedom. It is natural and right for us to want to support 
their struggle. The question is how? It seems to me that our first 
obligation is ``to do no harm.'' And our second obligation is to 
recognize that we are not a doctor, and Iran is not a patient.
  With these caveats, I believe there are some important things that we 
can and should do; all of which can be done publicly and outside of 
Iran. First, as we are doing today, we must continue to let the people 
of Iran know that we have not forgotten them or their struggle for 
freedom. Second, we must continue to bear witness to vicious crimes the 
Iranian regime is perpetrating against its own citizens. A government 
at war with its own citizens is illegitimate by definition. Third, we 
and other nations truly committed to universal human rights must 
continue to highlight Iran's absolutely illegitimate and immoral 
behavior in international forums and in the United Nations. The Iranian 
regime's behavior can not be denied and it can not be excused.
  Finally, and most critically, we absolutely must prevent Iran from 
acquiring the capability to produce nuclear weapons. For the sake of 
the people in Iran, for the sake of the people in the Middle East, for 
the sake of our allies in Israel, and for our own vital national 
security interests, Iran's nuclear ambitions absolutely must not be 
allowed to succeed.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for H.R. 1457, which recognizes the one-year anniversary of the 
Government of Iran's deceitful manipulation of Iranian elections and 
the Government's continued violation of Iranian citizens' democracy and 
their human rights.
  One year ago, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected to become the 
President of Iran in an unfair and manipulated election. Since then, 
this date, the Iranian regime, run by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has 
continually violated the human rights of innocent Iranian citizens, 
brutally beating back popular demonstrations against Mr. Ahmadinejad's 
election. This resolution is necessary and desperately important to 
show the world that the United States does not condone oppression and 
supports the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and democracy.
  Our country has always prided itself on the human rights our own 
citizens enjoy. I believe we should strive to protect and champion the 
freedoms of people the world over. Unrestricted arrests of innocent 
individuals, killing of citizens who oppose the government, and

[[Page 11395]]

extreme oppression of women, all common acts by the Iranian regime, 
that must be stopped. There needs to be a continued strong disapproving 
stance taken by our nation towards the destructive and unfair way that 
the Iranian regime treats its people.
  As a member of the Armed Services committee, I take this matter very 
seriously and see the continued reign of the Iranian regime as a 
national security threat not only to our nation at home, but also to 
our armed forces abroad. I urge my colleagues to stand with the Iranian 
people to support this important resolution.
  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of, H. Res 1457, 
the Resolution on the one-year anniversary of the June 12, 2009 Iranian 
Elections. Though one year has passed since the widely contested 
elections, the stain of Iran's government and its callous disregard for 
human rights continues to run through the streets of its cities. 
Although the protests of courageous voters have been violently crushed 
by the regime, the Iranian people remain proud and steadfast in their 
belief that this electoral atrocity will one day transition to dying 
authoritarianism and the birth of a democratic Iran.
  The Iranian electoral system does not reflect the ideals of democracy 
held by the vast majority of other nations in the world, but rather 
demonstrates the desperation of a despotic regime clinging to power 
under the guise of fair elections.
  For the June 12, 2009 elections, candidates had to be pre-approved by 
the Government of Iran's Guardian Council, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 
victory announcement was made prematurely, and the final vote tallies 
were inconsistent with the demographics of the nation, the number of 
registered voters, and common sense.
  Those who protested the elections had their rights of free speech 
brutally denied, and were beaten, jailed, injured, and killed. The 
Iranian regime has spilled the blood of its own citizens in the streets 
to maintain its illegitimate hold on power. We were all heartstruck to 
the see the death of Neda Agha-Soltan broadcast across the globe. It is 
now up to the nations who stand for democracy and freedom to support 
the courageous protesters in Iran.
  Furthermore, following the failed Iranian elections in June, the 
Iranian regime has had its legitimacy wounded and its paranoia 
increased. The regime has taken a posture of increased repression at 
home and antagonism abroad. In that dangerous environment, Israel's 
leaders have every right to be concerned for their country's safety. 
While hope still exists for a free Iran, Europe, Israel and the United 
States must undoubtedly prepare for a more dangerous Iranian regime in 
the near-term.
  We must be ready for the possibility that Iran will intensify its 
pursuit of nuclear weapons to overcome the embarrassment of the recent 
elections.
  For this reason, I applaud the House Foreign Affairs Committee and 
the Senate Banking Committee on yesterday's announcement that they had 
reached an agreement on the Iran sanctions conference report agreement. 
This long-awaited sanctions package is absolutely necessary to persuade 
Iran to change its conduct and its course on its nuclear program.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the House of Representatives to condemn the 
authoritarian Iranian regime and to stand with the millions of Iranians 
who rushed to the streets not only to defend their right to vote, but 
also to defend the very ideals of democracy and free and fair 
societies. I call on my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, it has been 1 year since Iran's disputed 
elections brought thousands into the streets to protest the regime's 
fierce grip on fundamental liberties. Today we pause to pay tribute to 
the faces of freedom that rose up in peaceful and spontaneous 
demonstrations across Iran only to be met with brutal violence by the 
thuggish paramilitaries of the Iranian revolutionary guard.
  In the days and weeks following the election, dozens of protestors 
were killed, hundreds were injured, others were arrested and tortured 
and some even died while in police custody. In the year since, Iranian 
authorities have cracked down on numerous other gatherings and severely 
curtailed the ability for Iranians to gather for national and religious 
holidays.
  Although the 2009 election was not the first subject to serious 
irregularities, vote tampering and corruption, the obvious vote rigging 
that led some provinces to report a turnout greater than 100 percent 
created a tipping point.
  At one point the anti-election momentum fueled a ``Twitter 
revolution,'' as tech-savvy Iranian youth mobilized gatherings through 
texting and instant messages. It was a telling sign of the opportunity 
for technology to surpass censorship and galvanize a freedom movement.
  The Iranian people take great pride in their nation's vibrant history 
as a crossroads of the world, but the dangerous policies of the current 
government have made them more isolated than ever.
  The government's reckless management of the economy has prioritized 
enriching the mullahs and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, while 
the average Iranian faces an unemployment rate approaching 30 percent.
  The regime's illegal nuclear activities and dogged support for 
terrorist organizations have made Iran a pariah state in the community 
of nations. And now, with the recent passage of strict sanctions by the 
U.N. Security Council, the stagnant Iranian economy only stands to 
deteriorate further.
  While tensions remain high between the United States and Iran, this 
resolution is a testament to our solidarity with the Iranian people and 
their courage to stand up for a better future. I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of the measure and I urge my colleagues to support its 
passage.
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1457.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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