Political Quotes

“I am joined in the gallery today by six former hostages and the families of 11 former hostages who are here to represent the 52 former hostages who were taken by Iranian student militants when they stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979. I rise today in support of my bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 52 hostages of the Iran hostage crisis who were released after 444 days of captivity over 40 years ago. As it currently stands, almost 300 Members of this Chamber have pledged their support for this legislation--a showing of true bipartisanship in an oftentimes divided Chamber. Despite mock firing squads, beatings, solitary confinement, lack of food, and psychological torture, these American hostages maintained their strength, resilience, and loyalty to their country. I was 17 years old in 1979, and I remember well--as many Americans do and many in this Chamber do--that the Iran hostage crisis was a painful time in our history. But that pain cannot stop us from recognizing the true pain and sacrifice by these special Americans. On behalf of the entire Congress, I give special thanks to Brock Pierce, the chairman of Commission 52, and Ezra Friedlander, the project manager, for helping gather support for this bill. It is a true public service. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill as soon as it is passed in the Senate. Mr.…”