Bill Summary
This legislation acknowledges and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Iran Hostage Crisis, during which 66 American diplomats, military personnel, and civilians were taken hostage by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It recognizes the suffering and sacrifices of the hostages and their families, as well as the efforts made to rescue them. It also acknowledges the ongoing impact of the crisis and the need for a national day of remembrance for the event.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation could affect the families of the Iran Hostages by bringing attention to their continued suffering and the sacrifices made by those who attempted to rescue the hostages.
2. The designation of a national day of remembrance could provide closure and recognition for the victims and their families.
3. The legislation could bring attention to the ongoing issue of state-sponsored terrorism and the need for continued efforts to prevent and combat it.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 395 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 395
Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Iran Hostage Crisis, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 31, 2019
Mr. Isakson (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Gardner, Mr.
Coons, Ms. Warren, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Scott of
Florida, Mr. Jones, Mr. Markey, Mr. Casey, Mr. Braun, and Mr. Cruz)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations
December 17, 2019
Reported by Mr. Risch, without amendment
January 8, 2020
Considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Iran Hostage Crisis, and for
other purposes.
Whereas, on November 4, 1979, 66 United States diplomats, military personnel,
and civilians were taken hostage from the United States Embassy in
Tehran by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in what became
known as the Iran Hostage Crisis;
Whereas 13 of the 66 American hostages were released by November 20, 1979;
Whereas 8 members of the United States Armed Forces died in an attempt to rescue
the hostages on April 25, 1980;
Whereas another American hostage was released on July 11, 1980, after 250 days
in captivity;
Whereas, after 444 days in captivity, the remaining 52 hostages were released on
January 20, 1981, with the signing of the Algiers Accords;
Whereas the Iran Hostages were subjected to mock executions and other forms of
physical and emotional torture at the hands of the Government of the
Islamic Republic of Iran;
Whereas the Iran Hostages and their families still suffer from the events of the
Iran Hostage Crisis;
Whereas the Algiers Accords prevented the Iran Hostages from taking legal action
to pursue compensation from the Islamic Republic of Iran for their time
in captivity;
Whereas many of the Iran Hostages and their families finally became eligible to
receive compensation through the enactment in 2015 of the Justice for
United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act (34 U.S.C. 20144)
and the creation of the United States Victims of State Sponsored
Terrorism Fund; and
Whereas, 40 years after its founding, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to
promulgate a culture of fear, oppression, and violence as one of the
leading state sponsors of terrorism: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Iran Hostage
Crisis;
(2) honors the suffering of the Iran Hostages and their
families during the Iran Hostage Crisis, as well as the
sacrifices made by those who attempted to rescue the hostages;
and
(3) supports the designation of a national day of
remembrance on November 4, 2019, for the Iran Hostage Crisis.
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