Political Quotes

“on this Independence Day, Americans should keep the Shiraz 13 in our thoughts and prayers. Since March of 1999, the government of Iran has held these people simply because of their religion. The trial is over, and it looked more like a kangaroo court. The investigator, the prosecutor, and the judge were the same person, someone who is affectionately known in Iran as the butcher. The verdict will come any day now, and we are all watching. Will this new so-called moderate government of Iran free the Shiraz 13? Until we know, we should not loosen our import restrictions on Iran on rugs, nuts and caviar which have been authorized to be imported here as of the end of 1999. This 4th of July, we should send a strong message about where the U.S. Congress stands. Today in the Agriculture Appropriations bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) and I will be offering an amendment to cut the funding from the Agriculture import budget that it takes to implement these loosening of these export quotas. Let us send a message this 4th of July.”