more profound statement about the iranian regime? nobody knows exactly. we do know one thing, though. the demonstrators filled their intelligence was insulted and their dignity of salted by the high handed manner in which the results of the june 12 election were handled. they want justice. this morning, the supreme leader offered none. it is not for us to decide who should run iran, much less determine the real winner of the june 12 election. but we must reaffirm our strong belief that the iranian people have a fundamental right to express their views about the future of their country freely and without intimidation. the iranian regime is clearly embarrassed by the demonstrations and has not shrunk from using violence to

stop them. at least eight demonstrators, and quite likely a number more, have been killed and hundreds have been injured. the regime has also tried to ban media coverage of demonstrations. foreign journalists are consigned to their homes and offices. several have been expelled from the country. cellphone coverage has been frequently blocked in order to limit communication among the protesters. the regime has interfered with the internet and taken down many opposition web sites. we cannot stand silent in the face of this assault on human freedom and dignity. i repeat, we have no interest in interfering in iran's internal affairs. that era has ended. this resolution affirms the universeality of individual rights as well as the importance

of democratic and fair elections. beyond that, and simply expresses its solidarity with iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law. i do not know how many of the demonstrators fall into that category, but i do know that many of them do. it is not a judgment on who won the iranian elections. it is an acknowledgment that we cannot remain silent when cherished human principles are under attack. mr. speaker, i want to offer my appreciation to our ranking member and to the gentleman from indiana for working together on a resolution which puts the house of representatives on the side of the people of iran. with that, i ask my colleagues

to join me in supporting this resolution and reserve the balance of my time. >> i yield myself such time as i may consume. i would like to start out banking our esteemed and distinguished chairman of the foreign affairs committee for working with us in a bipartisan manner, reaching out to our side to bring this timely resolution to the floor. i especially want to thank our republican congress share and a great member of our foreign affairs committee, mr. pence, who are for this legislation. i rise in strong support of the fundamental human rights and civil liberties to which the iranian people are entitled. for 30 years, these rights and freedoms have been denied again and again by an oppressive iranian regime which uses a sham process with candidates

handpicked by the ruling apparatus to create the illusion of political participation. there was no election in iran this year. there has been no election, no democracy and ran for there has been no election in iran for decades. the candidates and winners were picked in advance by the regime. regime. real reform, real democr this regime replies on -- relies on so-called shattered by the protest taking place in iran this week. the brutal nature of the iranian regime is well documented. on tuesday, i had the honor of attending with secretary of state hillary clinton the state hillary clinton the release of t inside iran as a tier 3 country, among the worst, as a regime that does little if anything to prevent men, women, and children from being trafficked for sexual

exploitation and involuntary servitude, slavery. likewise, the state of burma's human-rights report for 2008 reported iran's poor human- rights record worsened and it come continue to commit numerous serious abuses. the government severely limited the citizen's right to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections. authorities held political prisoners and intensified a crackdown against women's rights reformers, an ethnic minority rights activist, a student activist, and religious minorities. it is a pattern for decades. so we must look beyond the past week which was only the most recent demonstration of the regime's brutality and of authoritarianism. the iranian regime is not just a threat to its own people. we cannot afford to lose sight of the threat that it presents to our own national security

interests, and indeed, to global peace and security. iran draws even closer to crossing that nuclear point of no return. admiral mike mullen, the chairman of our joint chiefs of staff has stated that iran has likely enriched enough uranium to make an atomic bomb. international inspectors also report that iran has enough low enriched uranium to achieve nuclear weapons break out possibilities and that issues about possible military dimensions to iran's nuclear program remain unresolved. yet iran is allowed to continue its nuclear pursued virtually unchallenged. additionally, iran continues to develop chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missiles while arming and bankrolling violent islamic extremists worldwide. we must bear this in mind when we determine what is the

appropriate response to the iranian regime's policies and actions. but today we must focus on the hopes of the individual iranians who have been robbed of a better future for almost 30 years by a regime which only promises nothing but misery and malaise. now is the time for all responsible nations to stand four square with the people of iran as they seek freedom, as they seek true self governance at home, as well as to live at peace with the world. we must send a clear signal today to the iranian regime and all this proxies' and affiliate's that free nations will not tolerate further efforts to silence the voice of the iranian people through violence and coercion. with that, mr. speaker, all like to reserve the balance of our time. >> the speaker late thilays befe

house the following bills. located at 306 east main street in elizabeth city, north carolina, as the jay herbert w. carolina, as the jay herbert w. small federal building and >> mr. speaker, i yield myself one minute. my friend, my mac ranking member correctly cited a whole series of very important issues that we've and the united states has with the government of iran. she is correct. this resolution, the reason i worked to bring this up on this quick notice, is about what she pointed out at the end of her comments.

this resolution is not about a recitation of all those issues. it is about an affirmation of something that this house of representatives has done in places all over the world, whether it is in tibet or cube oa or eastern europe or the middle east or any other region to reaffirm our commitment to stand for certain fundamental, universal principles involving human rights, participatory democracy, and the affirmation of the rights of the people of any country. today is about the people of iran, and with that i reserve the balance of my time. >> we have an impressive lineup of speakers on our side. i would like to start by yielding five minutes to the

gentleman from indiana, mr. pence, the author of the bill. >> i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. i rise with a great sense of humility and a great sense of moment before this body, but a great sense of gratitude. to the ranking member for her extraordinary leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor, a resolution which as the chairman of the committee just stated quite eloquently will give the american people through their elected representatives clear opportunity on this day, after a week of violence and tumble to in the nation of iran, the opportunity to express the american people support for all iranian citizens who embrace the

values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law. i am especially grateful for the leadership and the spirit brought to this legislation by chairman howard berman. i do not agree with him on very much, but i am grateful that he demonstrates today public mindedness that i think is in keeping with the best traditions of this institution. ronald reagan would say in 1964, uni are told increasingly we have to choose between the left or right. i would like to suggest there is no such thing as left or right. there is only an up or down. of demands age-old dream, the ultimate in individual freedom, consistent with law and order, are down to the ant heap of

totalitarianism. the leadership of chairman howard berman today demonstrates that on the issue of speaking a word of encouragement to those who would stand with extraordinary valor for their own liberty, there is no left or right. it has been stated before an extraordinary week in the life of the nation of iran. on 12 june, just one week ago, from the very moment that the presidential election results were announced, the international community and the international press called the results into question. chief among the reasons for that was that even before the extraordinary demonstrations had begun, millions of ballots -- paper ballots had apparently been tallied and counted within

a matter of hours. the official government results of the election were met with public consternation among the people of iran. while the defeated candidate launched a legal appeal as the western media has reported, what has ensued on the streets of teheran has been the biggest demonstration in the islamic republic's 30 year history. most sadly, following that election day, the actions by the government and militias that supports the government have turned to violence. pro-government forces have attacked demonstrators over the past week, causing fatalities, resulting in the arrest of dissidents. we have heard of foreign reporters prevented from making their way into the public. we've heard of the jamming of electronic communications.

we are for all the world, we may well be witnessing 8 tiananmen square in tehran. it seems to me in this moment, the people of the united states of america long to be heard. by dint of house resolution 560 today, through their elected representatives, the american people will have just that opportunity. this resolution simply states that it is resolved expressed civil liberties and the rule of law. it condemns the ongoing and violence against demonstrators by the government of iran and pro-government militias as well as the ongoing government suppression of electronic communication through interference with the internet and cell phones. it affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections.

i have said many times this week, and has been echoed by my colleagues like the republican whip, eric cantor. the cause of america is freedom. in this cause, the american people will not be silent. there is no intention here to pick sides in the iranian election. there is an intention here, and a true spirit of bipartisanship, to allow the american people to be on the side of liberty and to be on the side of freedom. i urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation, because the voice of the american people as before, and i believe in my heart of hearts will again, make a difference in the advancement of human liberty in the world. i urge its support and ill. >> who seeks recognition at this

time? the gentleman from california. >> i am pleased to yield to my dear friend and member of the foreign affairs committee, the gentle lady from nevada, two minutes. >> i thank the gentleman from california for yielding and for his steady leadership on this and so many other issues. the ranking member, and i thank the gentleman from indiana for his leadership on this and so many other middle eastern related issues as well. mr. speaker, i rise in strong support this resolution and in support of the people of iran, whose voices deserve to be heard in a free and open and democratic way. we are not here today to discuss the outcome of this election or involve the united states in the internal politics of iran. the american people, through their elected representatives are here today to stand with the people of iran and people all over the world who yearn to express their opinions and to

exercise their right to free speech and fair elections. it takes an enormous amount courage to stand up to your government in a repressive society, and the american people applaud those heroes who face intimidation and oppression for expressing their views. i am personally and of the iranian people and hope others will learn by their example. i also support obama, who i believe has steered an excellent course in dealing with this situation. while some have called upon him to condemn the iranian government more forcefully, i believe it is essential that the united states not interfere in this remarkable debate and public demonstration. what the world is watching unfold in iran is condemnation enough of what is happening in that country. we should encourage free speech, free elections, and non-violence for all parties involved. it is a wise course, and i

believe it is one we would have benefited from in years past. i thank the gentleman from california once again. i encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation. i support it totally, and i yield back the balance of my time. >> i am proud to yield two minutes to mr. kantor, our esteemed republican whip, a leader on issues related to iran. >> i thank the gentle lady. mr. speaker, the iranian regime's brutality is on full display for the whole world to the whole. i rise today in sympathy with the victims of iranian political oppression who have been injured or killed protesting the outcome of their election. i salute the leadership of the gentle lady from florida, the

dillon from california in bringing this resolution forward. as well as the gentleman from indiana and his leadership on this and so many issues the way that delayed from nevada spoke. it is america's moral responsibility to speak out on behalf of the protection of human rights wherever they are violated. regardless of the outcome of the iranian election, make no mistake where the power in iran lies. it lies with a clerical regime who conducts its most egregious activities in the dark, hidden from the world's eyes and thus escaping media attention. the iranian revolutionary guard corps wiley funnels weapons and bunning in to terrorist groups from iraq to afghanistan to 11 on to gaza.

terrorist groups make voyages to iran to receive training at unspecified locations. this is the regime we are talking about. this week the true colors of that regime are on broad display. we must rally the world around because of the iranian people. i urge the administration, i urge president obama to follow the lead of this house, to speak out on behalf of the iranian people and their quest for freedom and human rights. i yield back. >> the gentleman from california. >> i want to yield myself 30 seconds. the minority whip spoke about

america's moral commitment to speak out on behalf of people yearning for freedom. we have an even higher moral commitment, and that is to do the things that help extend -- expanded the extent of human freedom around the world. it is in that context that i know that this house and this administration are pursuing this mission, that a higher authority to do the things that produce the greatest likelihood -- likelihood of the expansion of human freedom. i now yield two minutes to a great member from the state of georgia, mr. scott. >> thank you very much. thank you for this very timely resolution. this is a time of great thought

and deliberation and concern of what the united states must do and say. our words have got to be carefully calculated to make sure that they are saying -- so they are seen as not meddling, as not trying to tell the iranian people what to do, because quite honestly, mr. speaker, the iranian people have already spoken. they have decided, and i believe that it is in our responsibility, if we hold true to the principles of our founding fathers, as i was coming over on the floor i was thinking what i could say, and the words of one of our great founders and patriots beams very deep and my heart as i think that i watched the news reports of what is happening in the streets of tehran.

when that great patriot said give me liberty or give me death, that is why the united states of america cannot be silent. it is our foundation. i was reminded of the words of thomas jefferson when he wrote that all men are created equal and are denied -- it in doubt by their creator with certain inalienable rights. among those, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. that is what we stand for. so it is important that we put this resolution forward and it is important that the world understand that america is indeed that shining light of liberty and freedom that patrick henry and thomas jefferson spoke

so eloquently about. we are proud and support the iranian people and we condemn the violence. >> the gentleman from florida. >> pleased to yield two minutes to my good friend from california, the ranking member on the subcommittee on international organizations, human rights, and oversights. >> today i rise in strong support of this resolution which ratchets up to a degree america's willingness to express its heartfelt support for the iranian people and their struggle against the mullah dictatorship that oppresses them. it has been said you cannot championship the oppress unless you are willing to take on the oppressor. america should not intervene in every struggle taking place, but we should be unapologetically on the side of those who are in

desperate battles for their own freedom. tempered rhetoric can be interpreted by tyrants as weakness. we need to send a strong message to those tyrants and a strong message to the people who are willing to risk their lives on the streets of tehran that we are on the side of the people and the side of democracy and freedom. any other message would be of a trail of our fundamental principles, the principles of liberty and democracy that so many americans have sacrificed to give us and to pass on to other generations. yes, we should not intervene, but it is up to us to make sure those people struggling throughout the world know we are on their side. we must be bold in our words of support. i was honored to be ronald reagan's one of five speech writers. he was told to tone down his rhetoric.

he was told the strong words would be interpreted as belligerence. but with his strong words, he ended the cold war. without the conflagration that hung over our heads for decades, he may get a better, more peaceful, and a freer world with a strong message with no apologies. we should follow the lead of ronald reagan. it will make this a better world if we side with the people in tehran who oppose their mullah dictatorship. >> who seeks recognition? the gentleman from florida. >> i am so pleased to yield two minutes to my legislative brod brother. >> the ayatollah khamenei, the so-called supreme leader, is the

ruthless dictator of iran. ahmadinejad is his puppets. in this farcical election, he overstepped. the others in the dictatorship who aspired to the puppet presidency are upset. the iranian people are utilizing this moment of division in the dictatorship to heroically expressed their opposition to the dictatorship. the issue is not one of who is entitled to be the puppet president in the iranian dictatorship. the issue is that the iranian people are entitled to an end to the dictatorship and to live and self-determination and freedom in democracy. the president of the united states has been silent and confused. the congress of the nine states clearly stands with the iranian people and they will prevail.

>> the gentleman from california. >> i am pleased to yield two minutes to my friend from florida. >> i rise to support the resolution and i would like to thank our chairman and my colleague mr. pence for bringing this bipartisan statement for that supports our american view of the events in iran. iranian people deserve a rock democracy that counts every boat and treats its citizens with the utmost dignity. they deserve to trust their own government. these are not free and fair elections by any stretch of imagination. is are imperative to speak out whenever and wherever freedom is suppressed. whether by allies are by our foes. frankly, we have honest differences with the iranian government, no matter who was elected. any iranian government that seeks a nuclear weapon and

spreads state-sponsored terrorism is a threat to the ninth states and our allies. it is for the iranians to choose who leaves them. the struggle belongs to them. however, the message we send today is the world is watching. i urge my colleagues to support this resolution. >> the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. >> i thank the lady from florida. this country has always stood with those around the world yearning for freedom, a voice and a better future. whether those people were in nazi germany, apartheid south africa, or any number of other places around the world, we