The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TO FREE EXPRESSION” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E39 on Jan. 12, 2018.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TO FREE EXPRESSION
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speech of
HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 676.
H. Res. 676 supports the rights of the people of Iran to free expression, condemns the Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate protests, and displays American support for peaceful Iranian protestors. H. Res. 676 recognizes the rights of Iranians to peaceful forms of free expression.
On December 28, 2017, Iranians in the city of Mashad began protesting against the Iranian regime. The protestors expressed economic grievances, frustrations over widespread corruption, and disapproval of the regime's destabilizing support for terrorist groups. This message held sway with many Iranians and protests swiftly spread across the country. The Iranian regime has responded harshly to these protests. The regime has shut down mobile internet access and blocked and pressured companies to cut off social media applications that activists use to publicize protests. Consequently, H. Res. 676 provides Congress authority to license the provision of communications technology to Iran so that people can continue to express themselves freely. The Iranian regime has also engaged in a series of significant human rights abuses and major corruption cases. The Department of State strongly rebukes the Iranian regime's arrest of peaceful protestors, significant corruption, and destabilizing activities abroad. H. Res. 676 gives Congress the authority to designate and sanction elements of the Iranian regime involved in these abuses.
This legislation is important for the United States because it emphasizes to Americans and citizens around the world that America is not afraid to stand up to defend the principles upon which our country was formed.
I've long been a proponent of encouraging free and fair democracies and condemned authoritarianism abroad. As a member of the Judiciary committee, I have spent my tenure in Congress fighting for human and civil rights. Standing up for the rights of all people is of the utmost importance to me. Thus, it is with great pride that I support H. Res. 676 and urge my fellow members to do the same.
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