Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the great honor to be joined in this Chamber by many brave Americans and their family members who were held hostage when student militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Iran on November 4, 1979.

For 444 days, 52 brave Americans were held hostage and held captive against their will. On behalf of those brave Americans, I rise in support of my bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 52 hostages of the Iran hostage crisis.

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, and the bill has received overwhelming support in the Senate, as well.

Despite mock firing squads, beatings, solitary confinement, lack of food, and psychological torture, these American hostages maintained their strength and resilience. Back at home, we remember that Americans remained united in their support for these hostages, with many tying yellow ribbons around trees in signs of solidarity.

I was 17 years old in 1979, and I well remember, as many Americans 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 the chairman of Commission 52, Brock Pierce, and Ezra Friedlander, the project manager, for helping to gather support for this bill. It is truly a public service.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift passage of this bill so we can immediately send it to the President's desk to be signed into law.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source