Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2607) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the former hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979 1981, highlighting their resilience throughout the unprecedented ordeal that they lived through and the national unity it produced, marking four decades since their 444 days in captivity, and recognizing their sacrifice to the United States.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: S. 2607

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) On January 20, 1981, United States diplomats, military personnel, and civilians were released after being held hostage for 444 days by militant student supporters of Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in a violation of international law. The individuals were taken from the United States Embassy in Tehran, Iran, and the ordeal came to be known as the Iran Hostage Crisis.

(2) The hostages were subjected to intense physical and psychological torture throughout their captivity, such as mock executions, beatings, solitary confinement, and inhospitable living conditions.

(3) Throughout their time held, the hostages were routinely told to denounce the United States and, when they refused, they were tortured, but remained strong in their spirit.

(4) One hostage wrote ``Viva la roja, blanco, y azul'', which translates to ``Long live the red, white, and blue'', on the wall of his cell as a reminder of the values he swore to protect.

(5) The hostages showed extraordinary courage by continually engaging in acts of resistance against their captors, such as by refusing to sign condemnations of the United States, in the face of gross violations of their human rights.

(6) Many of the hostages still experience trauma as a result of the events of the crisis and deserve to have their suffering recognized.

(7) While, as of the date of enactment of this Act, 35 of the hostages are living, it is important that the people of the United States reflect on the resilience and strength of the hostages, which serve as an example to current generations.

(8) The people of the United States should--

(A) acknowledge the hostages as heroes who--

(i) experienced great tribulation; and

(ii) endured, so that the people of the United States may know the blessing of living in the United States; and

(B) strive to demonstrate the values shown by the hostages.

(9) On January 22, 1981, President Jimmy Carter met with the hostages in West Germany and stated the following: ``One of the acts in my life which has been the most moving and gratifying in meeting with and discussing the future and the past with the now liberated Americans who were held hostage in Iran for so long. I pointed out to them that, since their capture by the Iranian terrorists and their being held in this despicable act of savagery, that the American people's hearts have gone out to them and the Nation has been united as perhaps never before in history and that the prayers that have gone up from the people throughout the world to God for their safety have finally been answered.''.

(10) On January 28, 1981, when welcoming the hostages home, President Ronald Reagan stated the following: ``You've come home to a people who for 444 days suffered the pain of your imprisonment, prayed for your safety, and most importantly, shared your determination that the spirit of free men and women is not a fit subject for barter. You've represented under great stress the highest traditions of public service. Your conduct is symbolic of the millions of professional diplomats, military personnel, and others who have rendered service to their country.''.

(11) During the 444 days the brave hostages were held, the rest of the United States held its breath, waiting for news of the hostages. The United States hoped and prayed together, as one, for the hostages' safe return.

(12) Bruce Laingen, who served as United States Ambassador to Iran from 1979 to 1980 and was the highest ranking diplomat held hostage, summed up the experience by saying the following: ``Fifty-three Americans who will always have a love affair with this country and who join with you in a prayer of thanksgiving for the way in which this crisis has strengthened the spirit and resilience and strength that is the mark of a truly free society.''. It is now the responsibility of the people of the United States to honor the spirit, resilience, and strength that the hostages displayed during their 444 days of imprisonment.

(13) Now, more than 4 decades later, the United States continues to honor the hostages. The recipients of the award bestowed by this Act are heroes in every sense of the word. They are role models who wore their pride in the United States with esteem and have allowed for subsequent generations to appreciate the blessing of living in the United States. Today, as we mark 40 years since their release, the people of the United States acknowledge their endurance, strength, and contributions to seeing a more peaceful world. The hostages suffered for the United States and now it is the duty of the United States to recognize them for it. SEC. 3. DEFINITION.

In this Act, the term ``hostage'' means a person of the United States who was taken captive on November 4, 1979, in Tehran, Iran, at the United States embassy and released on--

(1) July 11, 1980; or

(2) January 20, 1981. SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

(a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design to the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis, in recognition of their bravery and endurance throughout their captivity, which started on November 4, 1979, and lasted until January 21, 1981.

(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State.

(c) Smithsonian Institution.--

(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for display as appropriate and made available for research.

(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received under paragraph (1) available for loan, as appropriate, so that the medal may be displayed elsewhere. SEC. 5. BRONZE DUPLICATE MEDALS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 4, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

(b) Proceeds of Sales.--The amounts received from the sale of duplicate medals under subsection (a) shall be deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.

There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act. SEC. 7. STATUS OF MEDALS.

(a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items. SEC. 8. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2607, the Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by Senator Padilla, which is a companion to a House bill sponsored by Representative Suozzi.

I thank Representative Suozzi for sponsoring this bipartisan bill, which would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 53 hostages of the Iran hostage crisis, which occurred from November 4, 1979, to January 21, 1981, in recognition of their bravery in the face of egregious human rights violations. It has been more than 40 years since their release.

Representative Suozzi has been a tireless advocate in honoring these U.S. embassy employees who were taken hostage and uplifting their humanity. Last week, Representative Suozzi said on the floor that he was 17 years old when the hostages were taken and remembers the Iran hostage crisis as a painful time in our history. I am so appreciative of his dedication to this important issue and ensuring that these hostages are properly recognized for the sacrifices they have made that have had lasting effects until today.

I am pleased to be able to vote ``yes'' for this bill before his retirement at the end of this term, and I congratulate him on this important bill to celebrate the resilience and strength of the hostages.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. As I am awaiting the arrival of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), who has performed able and faithful service in the House over his career, I would like to reflect on the Iran hostage crisis and its unfortunate foreshadowing of the behavior of the Ayatollah's regime that we are witnessing now on our TV screens today as they persecute brave men and women on the streets of Iran's major cities who are protesting for basic human and civil rights.

I know that I speak on behalf of my constituents in Massachusetts' 4th District when I say that the American people stand with those who are protesting the repression and the discrimination, particularly against women, that have been the hallmark of the Ayatollah's regime and that we feel that the values that they are fighting for are universal values, core human rights, and certainly hope and expect that they will be achieved.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to reflect on the great service of Mr. Suozzi, who has been an able member of the Ways and Means Committee and a wise counselor to those of us like myself who are new to this business in how to best represent our constituents and advance their priorities and reflect their values.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), the sponsor of this legislation.

I appreciate Representative Suozzi's dedication to this important issue. This bipartisan bill will honor the bravery of the 53 hostages of the Iran hostage crisis, the U.S. Embassy employees, who were held hostage for 444 days.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Suozzi for championing this issue and urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

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