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LOS ANGELES – ANNOUNCEMENT June 19, 2009
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) introduce House Resolution (H. RES. 560) expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and for other purposes.
The Iranian American Lawyers Association (“IALA”) extends its gratitude and appreciation to all individuals who participated and took part in this concentrated effort to call on their representatives since IALA called for an immediate stop of the Human Rights violations of the peaceful protestors in Iran (Press Release June 15, 2009).
As the result, House of Representative Resolution (H. RES. 549) was introduced by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) on June 16, 2009 expressing support for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and the protection of the rule of law. And on Friday June 18, 2009, introduced by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), a resolution supporting Iranian dissident protestors adopted by the House (H. Res. 560) was approved 405-1 with two Democrats abstaining. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) was the only dissenter. H.Res. 560 is being considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage.
Added to the House agenda at the last minute, the resolution expresses "support for all Iranian citizens who struggle for freedom ... condem[nation] of ongoing violence against demonstrators by the government of Iran ... and affir[mation] of the universality of individual rights." The language in the Resolution protecting the value of Human and Civil Rights, Individual Rights, fair elections and condemnation of violence are the same inalienable and fundamental human rights that their violations IALA called into attention.
"We cannot stand silent in the face of this assault on human freedom and dignity," House Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., said. Congressman Berman represents the 28th District of California which spreads from the northern San Fernando Valley, where it takes in the small city of San Fernando and includes the communities of Pacoima, Arleta, Panorama City, Van Nuys, and North Hollywood in the suburb of Los Angeles.
Leading up the vote, Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, R-Ind., who authored the resolution, said, "today this Congress, in a true spirit of bipartisanship, will come together on behalf of the moral courage of the men and women of Iran who have tasted freedom and have been willing to risk their liberty and their lives to advance it."
Similar Resolutions are talked about in the U.S. Senate and IALA strongly urges continued contact and requests through your representatives of your respective Districts and States.
P. Patrick Ashouri
Director, Public Relations
Iranian American Lawyers Association
510 West 6th Street, Suite 326,
Los Angeles, CA 90014
www.ialawyers.org
info@ialawyers.org
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