The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“WE MUST FREE JAMSHID SHARMAHD” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the in the House section section on pages H3133-H3134 on June 23.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WE MUST FREE JAMSHID SHARMAHD
(Mrs. TORRES of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to demand the release and safe return of Jamshid Sharmahd.
Mr. Sharmahd, a U.S. national and the father of one of my constituents, was unlawfully arrested and imprisoned in Iran 3 years ago in retaliation for simply doing his job as an independent journalist.
Following a sham trial that was condemned by international human rights groups, Mr. Sharmahd was sentenced to death. Mr. Sharmahd was convicted in an Iranian court of ``corruption on Earth,'' a nonsense charge designed only to imprison and execute political dissidents.
He deserves to be reunited with his daughter in Ontario, California.
Mr. Speaker, I call on the State Department and the White House to do everything in their power to free Mr. Sharmahd and ensure his safe return.
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