[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100

  Bob has been missing in Iran for 3,561 days. He disappeared from Kish 
Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. Late that year, Bob's wife, Christine, 
and his oldest son Dan traveled to Iran to learn as much as they could 
about his whereabouts.
  It was a brutal 3-year wait for the first proof of life, a video of 
Bob dressed in an orange jumpsuit, pleading for help. A year later, in 
2011, another proof of life, pictures of Bob, his beard long, his face 
thin, his gregarious smile gone, a shadow of the exuberant family man 
in this photograph.
  In March, marking the ninth anniversary of Bob's disappearance, south 
Florida came together in support of Bob's return with a rally. Each of 
Bob's children spoke so beautifully about the special relationship that 
they share with their father, his commitment to his family, his words 
of wisdom, his ability to touch the lives of everyone that he meets.
  Bob Levinson served this country for nearly 30 years, first as a DEA 
agent, and then as an FBI agent. He is the definition of a patriot. He 
loves this country. He dedicated his life to public service. Now we 
must do whatever we can to bring Bob home; home to Christine, his wife 
of over 40 years; home to his daughters Susan, Stephanie, Sarah, and 
Samantha; home to his three sons, Dan, David, and Doug, and son-in-law 
Randy; home to meet, for the first time, the newest members of his 
growing family, his sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, Ralph, Ryan, and 
Sophia, and his six beautiful grandchildren, Ryan, Grace, Caroline, 
Harry, Sean, and Bobby; home in time for the birth of two new 
grandchildren; and home in time to hold 2-year-old Bobby as he begins 
treatment for lymphoma.
  Bobby was named after Grandpa Bob. Bob's daughter Susan said: I 
always wanted to name my son after my dad not because he has been 
taken, but because growing up I always knew how special my dad is.
  The family needs Bob home. We can't wait any longer. Whether you 
support engagement with Iran or not doesn't matter. The fact is, for 
the first time since Bob went missing, the United States Government 
sits directly across the table from their Iranian counterparts.
  The future of our relationship with Iran is uncertain. That is why we 
can't wait. The Iranians have spent the last 2 years seeking acceptance 
from the international community, but to be treated as a responsible 
nation, they must act as a responsible nation. After Iran released 
other Americans this year, the U.S. Government announced Iran's 
commitment to use newly established channels to move us closer to Bob's 
return, but, 11 months later, Iran has not fulfilled that commitment.
  Our allies are looking to invest in Iran. U.S. businesses are seeking 
new economic opportunities, and Iran is seeking to change its standing 
in the world. I am not here today to debate U.S. policy. I am only here 
to remind Iran and to remind the world that an American is still not 
home.
  I am grateful to this Congress for the unanimous passage of a 
resolution earlier this year calling on the Government of Iran to find 
Bob and bring him home and for the deep, deep support so many of my 
colleagues have offered the Levinson family. I don't want to have to 
introduce that legislation again next year. I don't want to come back 
to the House floor in 2017 to plead for Bob's return. This is the 
moment for action. This is the time to bring Bob home.
  When the Levinson children were growing up, they would pile into the 
family Suburban before Christmas in search of the best holiday 
decoration displays. The kids would sit back singing Christmas songs, 
and Bob would hold Christine's hand while he drove. Even though the 
family has grown too large to fit in one Suburban now, Bob and his 
family deserve to see the lights together this year. They deserve to 
sing together. This must be the last season that Bob spends away from 
his family.

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