IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 209 
Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis, during which 
52 United States citizens were held hostage for 444 days from November 
4, 1979, to January 20, 1981, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 
Mr. FORTENBERRY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Iranian hostage 
crisis, during which 52 United States citizens were held 
hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979, to Janu-
ary 20, 1981, and for other purposes. 
Whereas, in the face of internal political upheaval in Iran, the 
United States Government maintained a diplomatic pres-
ence in Tehran following the fall of Shah Mohammed 
Reza Pahlavi in January 1979, and sought to engage the 
new provisional government of Prime Minister Mehdi 
Bazargan; 
Whereas, on November 4, 1979, Iranian militants scaled the 
walls of the United States Embassy in Tehran and took 
63 United States citizens and diplomats hostage; 
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•HCON 209 IH 
Whereas three more United States citizens were taken pris-
oner at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, for a total of 66 
hostages; 
Whereas the occupiers bound and blindfolded the embassy 
staff and military personnel and paraded them in front 
of photographers; 
Whereas a total of 52 United States citizens were held hos-
tage for 444 days until January 20, 1981, in isolated and 
under psychologically intimidating and onerous condi-
tions; 
Whereas Iranian militants violated the principle of diplomatic 
immunity and United States sovereignty; 
Whereas Ayatollah Khomeini endorsed the seizure of the 
United States Embassy and detention of United States 
hostages and toppled the Bazargan government, instruct-
ing that no Iranian officials hold discussions with United 
States representatives; 
Whereas the Soviet Union vetoed United States initiatives at 
the United Nations Security Council to impose collective 
economic sanctions on Iran; 
Whereas the United States broke off diplomatic relations with 
Iran on April 7, 1980, following unsuccessful diplomatic 
efforts to free the hostages; 
Whereas, on April 24, 1980, the United States launched Op-
eration Eagle Claw, a high-risk rescue operation to free 
the hostages; 
Whereas the rescue mission was aborted when three heli-
copters malfunctioned; 
Whereas the following United States military personnel from 
the all-volunteer Joint Special Operations Group lost 
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•HCON 209 IH 
their lives and three more were injured in the Great Salt 
Desert near Tabas, Iran, on April 25, 1980, in the abort-
ed attempt to rescue the United States hostages— 
(1) Capt. Richard L. Bakke, 34, Long Beach, CA, 
Air Force; 
(2) Sgt. John D. Harvey, 21, Roanoke, VA, Marine 
Corps; 
(3) Cpl. George N. Holmes, Jr., 22 Pine Bluff, AR, 
Marine Corps; 
(4) Staff Sgt. Dewey L. Johnson, 32, Jacksonville, 
NC, Marine Corps; 
(5) Capt. Harold L. Lewis, 35, Mansfield, CT, Air 
Force; 
(6) Tech. Sgt. Joel C. Mayo, 34, Bonifay, FL, Air 
Force; 
(7) Capt. Lynn D. McIntosh, 33, Valdosta, GA, Air 
Force; and 
(8) Capt. Charles T. McMillan II, 28, Corrytown, 
TN, Air Force; 
Whereas the Algerian Government brokered a January 19, 
1981, agreement between Iran and the United States, to 
which the United States agreed, under duress, resulting 
in the release of the hostages on January 20, 1981; 
Whereas President Reagan asked former President Carter to 
welcome the released hostages at Rhein-Mein Air Base; 
and 
Whereas the Iranian Government’s commemoration of the 
30th anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis was met 
with street protests against the repressive Iranian re-
gime: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HCON 209 IH 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the Ira-
nian hostage crisis, during which 52 United States 
citizens were held hostage for 444 days; 
(2) honors the sacrifice and service of the 
United States diplomats and military personnel held 
hostage and servicemen who lost their lives and were 
wounded in a valiant attempt to free the United 
States hostages; 
(3) in recognition of this sacrifice, hopes that 
the people of the United States and Iran may em-
bark on a new relationship that fully reflects their 
most noble aspirations for life and liberty; 
(4) expresses its support for all Iranian citizens 
who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, 
civil liberties, and rule of law; and 
(5) urges the Secretary of State to make every 
effort to assist United States citizens held hostage 
in Iran at any time during the period beginning on 
November 4, 1979, and ending on January 20, 
1981, and their survivors in matters of compensa-
tion related to such citizens’ detention. 
Æ 
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