```

[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 505 Introduced in House (IH)]

107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 505

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 
            desire for freedom and human rights within Iran.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 25, 2002

    Mr. Ney (for himself and Mr. Gutknecht) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning the 
            desire for freedom and human rights within Iran.

Whereas throughout history the world has seen the power of one simple idea: when 
        given a choice, people will choose freedom;
Whereas all people are endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the 
        pursuit of happiness;
Whereas the people of the United States respect the people of Iran and value the 
        contributions that Iran's culture has made to world civilization;
Whereas the future of Iran will be decided by the people of Iran;
Whereas the people of Iran are struggling with difficult questions about how to 
        build a modern 21st century Muslim society that is prosperous and free;
Whereas the people of Iran aspire to democracy, civil, political, and religious 
        rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas this desire for freedom and reform is expressed in the multiple 
        overwhelming votes for change;
Whereas the people of Iran are seeking freedom by non-violent means by choosing 
        the ballot over the bullet;
Whereas the vast majority of the people of Iran voted for political and economic 
        reform, yet their voices are being ignored by the unelected people who 
        are the real rulers of Iran;
Whereas talented students and professionals, faced with the dual specter of too 
        few jobs and too many restrictions on their freedom, continue to seek 
        opportunities abroad rather than help build Iran's future at home;
Whereas the people of Iran spontaneously gathered in the streets after the 
        terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, to stand 
        in peaceful solidarity with the people of the United States and 
        reiterated their desire for a dialogue and improved relations with the 
        United States;
Whereas the United States recognizes the people of Iran's right to choose their 
        own destiny;
Whereas there is a broad-based movement for reform and freedom in Iran that 
        represents all sectors of Iranian society, including youth, women, 
        students, military personnel, and even religious figures, that is pro-
        democratic and is yearning to live in freedom; and
Whereas the people of Iran deserve the support of the United States in their 
        quest for liberty: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the people of the United States support freedom, 
        reform, and self determination for the people of Iran;
            (2) as the people of Iran move towards a future defined by 
        greater freedom and tolerance, they will have no better friend 
        than the United States; and
            (3) it should be the policy of the United States to support 
        Iran's domestic movement for democracy, reform, and freedom.
                                 <all>
```