U.S. Congresswoman Jackson Lee Supports Free Iran and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi
Written by
Shamsi Saadati
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee OIAC Congress conference 08022023
“A democratic regime is what we want for all of the people of Iran, all Iranian Americans and Iranians all over the diaspora,” said the United States Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), in her remarks addressing a conference on Wednesday. The conference, attended by U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, introduced House Resolution 100, which supports the Iranian uprising, and the National Council of Resistance of Iran while rejecting the deposed monarchy and the current ruling theocracy. H. Res. 100 has been co-sponsored by 166 U.S. Representatives.
Below is the full text of Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s remarks:
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D/TX)
First, let me honor Mrs. Maryam Rajavi for the strength of your leadership, your persistence, your fearlessness, your courage, your championship your fight for democracy. Never give up; never give in. We applaud you and honor you today. Thank you so very much for your spirit.
It is a delight to be here with my friend and colleague from the Judiciary Committee, Congressman McClintock, with whom we have had the ability to agree on this wonderful focus in Congress. It is important to have the freedom of democracy to agree and disagree, and that occurs among members, but we have no disagreement for the question and the answer: When should Iran be free? The answer is now.
So I’m excited about introducing H. Res. 100 as a resolution that continues to speak the language of freedom, and it continues to stop the injustices of the regime that include arbitrary arrests, torture, unjust executions, and the loss of family members it also keeps those of us who love the Persian history from being able to go to Iran touch the soil touch the people and celebrate a democratic regime.
So I am here this morning to be able to celebrate Madam President and the messages of leadership. I’m here to celebrate men and women, but I’m also here to celebrate the leadership of women and what has happened in the streets of this very fine land. Again we will never forget your loved ones of whom we walk through the cemetery that was pictured right outside the United States Capitol, the causes of loved ones who’ve died over the decades. We will never forget Mahsa Amini, who stood for freedom and should not have died in the torturous and horrible way in she did. She was a courageous young woman of only 22 years old, and others have taken to the street because of her symbol and cause of her reality. We want to be able to keep that fight going in the United States Congress before the president of the United States of America because we must be the moral umbrella for the nation, for the world, and for Iran. We will not cease until Iran is free.
.@JacksonLeeTX18: I'm here to celebrate @Maryam_Rajavi and her message of leadership. I'm also here to celebrate the leadership of women and what has happened in the streets of Iran. #IranRevoIution #IranProtestshttps://t.co/yy8oD6klrz
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 8, 2023
Let me thank all of you who’ve gathered here this morning for recognizing the value of being in the citadel of democracy that is this nation’s capital that is the underpinnings of our history that is our constitution. As Iranian Americans, you should always have your voices raised, and we should let our sound of outrage continue to be heard in the halls of government or the halls of the regime that depresses and oppresses every single day.
They should know that there are fighters who are never going to give up their voice, the word, and the cry for freedom. When do we want it? Now.
A democratic regime is what we want for all of the people of Iran, all Iranian Americans and Iranians all over the diaspora, and H. Res. 100 again puts our footprint down. We wanted to go all the way to the desk of the president and the Senate, and we want everyone to hear what we stand for in this country.
Let me thank all of my cosponsors and, of course, the lead sponsor who has galvanized all of us together. We’re in the fight until democracy reigns strong in the motherland, Iran. Thank you all so very much. Thank you, Madam President.