On the recordJune 22, 2011
I am pleased to join my friend Senator Carl Levin in introducing this legislation to create a new U.S. Department of State special envoy for religious minorities in the Middle East. As we observe the political upheavals occurring throughout the region, we need to remember that this region is the birthplace of three of the world's major religions. I am particularly interested in ensuring that the shrinking minority of Christians in places like Egypt, Iraq, the West Bank, and Afghanistan receive adequate attention by our foreign emissaries. I expect this bill to encourage the State Department to redouble its efforts to call attention to all religious minorities and demonstrate to leaders in the region that the United States takes religious freedom seriously. I am hopeful that as change takes place in many of these countries, they will look to the United States as a model of religious tolerance and freedom. I thank my friends in the House of Representatives, Frank Wolf, Anna Eshoo, Joe Pitts, and many others, for their efforts on this bill's House companion, which was introduced earlier this year. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the Capitol and with the Administration to enact this important legislation.
