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“FREEDOM FOR BOB LEVINSON” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S1589 on March 11, 2013.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FREEDOM FOR BOB LEVINSON
Mr. NELSON. Madam President, I rise today to remind this body of the plight of a missing person and the suffering of his family.
On March 8, 2007, retired FBI agent Bob Levinson traveled to the Iranian island of Kish on a business trip. From what we know, he checked into his hotel, checked out on March 9, got into a taxi, and then disappeared.
This week marks the sixth year of his disappearance, making Bob one of the longest held or missing Americans in history.
And for Bob's wife Christine and their seven children, it's been 6 years of excruciating suffering. Bob's safe return remains their highest priority--as it must for the U.S. Government as well.
With the assistance of the U.S. Department of State, we continue to receive word that Bob is alive and remains in captivity somewhere in Southwest Asia.
Yet the Government of Iran continues to provide next to nothing in terms of real assistance. Given Iran's resources and capabilities in the region, they could be doing so much more to help reunite Bob with his family.
I remain convinced that our two countries share the same goal: finally putting to rest all the speculation behind Bob's disappearance by safely getting him back to Florida where he belongs.
Today I rise to implore all parties to view this as a humanitarian case that transcends the differences between the United States and Iran. We must all redouble our efforts to bring Bob home.
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