Transcripts For CSPAN Members 20240702

Public service along with these other Television Providers giving you a front row seat to democracy. Members of congress talked about religious freedom outside the u. S. At an event commemorating the 25th that of our three of the International Religious freedom act. The discussion included the conflict between israel and hamas advocating against religious persecution and the impact of the legislation. Good afternoon and welcome. My name is Abraham Cooper, and im honored to serve as chair of the u. S good afternoon and welcome. I am Abraham Cooper honored to serve on the International Commission for religious freedom. Thank you for joining us to mark the 25th anniversary of the International Religious freedom act. I would like to extend, on behalf of the commissioners, a special thank you to senator chris coons and his staff for reserving this historic room for us. In october 1998 congress passed, then, president bill clinton signed this act making the promotion of freedom of religion or belief abroad a higher in u. S. Foreign policy. Ity in u. S. Foreign policy. Irfa established usirf and the state Department Ambassador at large, currently ambassador hussein, as well as the office of International Religious freedom. The law required monitoring and annual reporting on conditions and tlingit consequences for the worst violators. It is also incorporating, incorporated religious freedom concerns into u. S. Diplomacy, programs, training, as well as refugee and asylum policies. 25 years later, religious freedom issues are more integrated than ever before into u. S. Foreign relations. We have seen the benefits of irfa. Violations have been documented and exposed, and violators often sanctioned. Repressive governments have changed laws and policies, and they have released some prisoners. Issues of International Religious freedom now received significant media and public attention, including today for which we are grateful. Importantly, the United States no longer stands alone in recognizing the significance of freedom of religion or belief, or form, and dont worry we will have a quiz on all these abbreviations. For everyone everywhere. Various countries and the European Union have created for ambassador for special envoy positions. These and other countries have established an International Contact group of alliance and upheld regular conferences. Networks of parliamentarians and nongovernment organizations focused on forb but also develop. Usirf is proud to been in the founding of International Parliamentary network in washington, d. C. Based ngo roundtable, and continue to actively engage with both. Usirf remains unique entity in the space. No other country has a similar commission. Usirf is an independent, bipartisan advisory body that monitors conditions abroad based on international standards. Evaluates u. S. Policy and makes independent policy recommendations to the president , secretary of state, and congress. Usirf has nine commissioners. There are three appointed by the president of the United States, three are appointed by the leadership of the senate with each political party, and three are appointed by the leadership of the house from each political party. Usirf has an amazing nonpartisa nonpartisan, young, dynamic professional staff of about 20. Commissioners are private citizen volunteers. We come from different political parties, different faith and professional backgrounds, and different parts of our beloved United States. Yet, we all agree on the importance of freedom of religion or belief for everyone everywhere. We also agree on the need to shine a light on the severe abuses so many individuals of all faiths, and of none, who suffer sin before exercising their fundamental godgiven right to religious freedom. We were among the first to call for recognizing chinas horrific persecution of uyghurs as a genocide. We continue to call out russia for its antisemitic rhetoric and holocaust extortion in an effort to justify russias unprovoked invasion of ukraine. And last week we condemned the brutal terrorist onslaught by hamas whose antisemitic charter justifies violence, and worse, against innocent israelis. And we iterated that invoking any religion to justify taking innocent lives has no place in any society. Today, were going to discuss irfa importance, its accomplishments and steps to take in the years to, our first speakers are two of the key congressional sponsors of what became irfa, Commission Former representatives frank wolf, otherwise to as our commissions moral gps. And former u. S. Senator don nickles, former senator Joseph Lieberman at plan to join us but had a lastminute change in schedule so we have recorded marks from this Great American as well. After that will have a Panel Discussion highlighting the importance of advocating for specific victims of religious freedom violations. And to conclude, commissioners and staff will share the thoughts on irfa and usirf impact and their suggestions for the future. Before we start i would like to thank the former commissioners i see an audience here today. I also want to thank congress for its commitment to advancing International Religious freedom, and continued support of usirf. We expect members of congress to stop by to offer their comments throughout the event as well as their support, we hope. In addition to written and video remarks provided to us. Though i may mention it before, before i give more to my esteemed colleague and friend, fred davie, i would be remiss not to mention again the butchery of the iran backed hamas terrorists, and the special challenge those criminal acts posted people of faith everywhere. Let me now give the floor to usirfs vice chair fred davie who outlined some key irfa and usirf accomplishments and then introduce the first panel. Thank you, ice jerry cooper, i think all of you for joining us today. I am fred davie added to serve as vice chair of got a call you vice chair . They could call chair comer. I do serve as vice chair of this commission. Let me just say in response to chair coopers remarks about the horrible situation in israel, gaza first. I am proud to be able to stand within and with the imam in a statement that we issued our behalf of usirf condemning the horrific attacks of hamas. Also calling for an end to religious incitement and incitement of religious base violence, and then my own sort of commitment and deep concern that a know we all share for the humanitarian situation in the region, particularly in gaza. So i stand with the rabbi. I stand with the imam in this acknowledgment of the horror of that situation. And hoping that for a just and peaceful end to it soon. Let me also say that it would be really important we believe if there were a National Prayer service. Usirf can i think i can speak for my commissioners, we talked about today, would be more than interest in helping to organize and participate in a National Prayer service that called for an acknowledgment of the brutality and the horror and the depravity that is taken place in the region, calling for compassion comp for human life and innocent lives in the region, and calling for a just and peaceful resolution to the horrors that now exist there. So like rabbi cooper i want you know i i stand with you here imam, im really pleased we can all join together as commissioners of usirf and issue the statement that weve issued. Let me now turn to the agenda of the day, and preparing for this event has given us an opportunity to reflect on irfas and usirfs impact both over time and in recent years and we shared some highlights into usirf fact sheet that is viable in the room, and hopefully that you all have. Since we celebrated irfas anniversary in 2018 we have seen robust use of newly available tools in the frank r wolf International Religious freedom act, and the global magnitsky act, including designations of special watch lists and entities of particular concern and imposition of targeted sanctions against religious freedom of abuses. In addition, both President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump nominated their ambassadors at large for irf, for irfa, in record time, six in the each new administration the ambassadors were nominated. Then President Trump also appointed for the first time a director of International Religious freedom act on the National Security Council Staff and issued an important executive order on the issue which the Biden Administration continues to implement. The first five years also saw the founding of the International Religious freedom for belief allies, or irfa, and as archer said, no one will hold you to a test for these acronyms that we will spout today. Then the launch of regular International Religious freedom or irf, ministry is. Weve also been gratified to see foreign governments make improvements on religious freedom issues in response to u. S. Concerns. To give two recent examples, both sudan during its time of civilian led transitional rule, and uzbekistan engage closely with usirf and the state department in their efforts to a restrictive laws and make other positive changes. This led to progress sufficient for usirf to conclude that country of particular concern, or see d. C. Come , recordato longer awarded for either country in 2020. But will simply government no, no longer in power in sedan in recent backsliding in uzbekistan, usirf continues to closely monitor countries. As we reflect on as reflect today on the past 25 years, many accomplishments, we cannot be complacent. State and nonstate actors around the globe continue to perpetrate or tolerate severe religious persecution. Into many countries individuals and communities are still targeted for the religious beliefs, activity, or identity couple for the religious freedom advocacy. Those individuals and committees are why irfa was enacted. And they are why the global efforts to promote freedom of religion or belief for all remain essential today and for the future. To start our discussion today, we are so pleased to hear from three of the key sponsors of the legislative effort to promote International Religious freedom who will share their personal reflections on irfas creation and trajectory. First, we will see video remarks from senator Joseph Lieberman who sends his regrets as weve heard that hes unable to join us today. He served in the senate from 19892013. Representing the state of connecticut. He is testing new counsel to the law firm castlewood, Vincent Torres in new york. Our next speaker will be our own colleague, friend and as chair cooper said, moral gps, commissioner and former congressman frank wolf, who served in the u. S. House of representatives from 19812015 representing the tenth district of virginia. Commissioner werfel supported to usirf by then House Majority leader Kevin Mccarthy and 2020. And finally we will hear from senator don nickles represented oklahoma in the senate from 19812005. He is currently chairman and ceo of the Nickles Group in washington, d. C. We will now play former senator lieberman prerecorded marks on the screens. So were going to have a slight change in schedule. Im told that rapid gas is here with us and we would love to hear from you congresswoman. [applause] thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thanks very much. I guess this is on. Can you hear me . Okay, very good. Thank you. Im glad to be here again commemorating the 25th anniversary of the International Religious freedom act. I am a representative from the e state of florida and as i stood with the great frank wolf for many years, as did my father, congressman mike lerach is so weve been working on these issues and hes been the leader along with smith in the house. Its a testament to the incredible work again by three, again three true statesman, when you do now, thats for sure, i wish they were in the house and the senate, but we thank them for all their work. I want to thank them directly, my former colleague as a said frank wolf who was here and im sure whose former, is don nickles are . Yes. Okay. And then of course Joe Lieberman who is also a great hero and a true statesman. Thank you for standing up for religious freedom and creating the tools to hold violators accountable for their actions. I strive to continue this work as cochair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus in the house and a member of the executive committee for the human rights commission. What a giant he was cut incredible. I served with him as well. Fighting again for a range of persecuted religious minorities such as the following go, the uyghurs, the tibetans in china, the cops, the evs, and other christians in the middle east and africa the evs. And the most money noise around the world such as the hamadi said pakistan. And yet even as a celebrate this remarkable anniversary of the irfa, we know that it is even more important now given the dire situation we could face around the world, and even here in the United States unfortunately. Most on mind is the current war between israel and the radical islamists forces of hamas and hezbollah. At least 1400 innocent israelis were brutally and indiscriminately executed for simply existing, by the terrorist organization hamas. By its own admission it will not stop until it is white israel off the map and has exterminated all jewish people. Thats pure evil, folks. I do know you agree, plain and simple. I stand with israel and the jewish people in the right to defend themselves against the evils seeking their annihilation. The effects of this war are already having global repercussions, as you know, specifically with the shocking and violent rise of antisemitic rhetoric and action, which is mindboggling to imagine given the fact that ive been talking about the rise of antisemitism, as have you, for years now. Back in 2018 we held an International Religious freedom briefing on the global increase of antisemitism. Just two years ago in my own community in the tampa bay area, there was an antisemitic hate crime, and i condemned it, where the Florida Holocaust Museum is in st. Petersburg, florida. It was desecrated with a swastika and the message that read jews are guilty. Let me frankly state, hate and hate groups have no place in our society, which is what im so alarmed by the recent displays of antisemitism on u. S. Campuses. We have seen student groups and organize demonstrations condoning got even celebrating the october 7 terror attack against innocent israelis. Some have even adopted the imagery of a paraglider to advertise the rallies. Others have enthusiastically chanted the death toll from the terror attack. This is utterly disgusting in my opinion, and should be routinely and universally condemned by everyone. I have join my colleagues on numerous congressional efforts to push for accountability for this hate speech and pressure both secretary of education and institutes of Higher Education to follow through with their legal obligation to provide all students, including jewish students, a School Environment free from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. It is important that we directly and unflinchingly address this scourge, not only for the members of the International Jewish community, but also for minority communities worldwide facing discrimination and hate. History provides us with a clear reminder of what happens when people stand by while hate and intolerance grow. The hesitation of the International Community to act over 100 years ago following the end of the First World War created the conditions for the holocaust where 17 million people, including 6 million jews, were systematically killed. Why the world learned a great lesson lesson and swore never forget, never again, Holocaust Denial and antisemitism are nevertheless, on the rise. Unfortunately, folks, we cant tolerate that. We cannot forget. It is for this reason i am proud that the never again education act which i colead and was signed into law last congress. This law expanded access to holocaust and antihate education to teach children the important lessons of the holocaust and the consequences of bigotry and hate. While the house of representatives was also able to pass the resolution condemning antisemitism and bigotry, as i said, last congress, it is clear from some members recent comments, very few, that the house must act again though in passing a resolution condemning antisemitism and in support of our ally israel. The right to exist in the right to follow your belief should that be controversial, particularly in this country. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to speak and celebrate the historic achievement of the irfas 25th h anniversary. Thank you and god bless. Thank you, congressman. [applause] congressman, we want to note and thank you for your advocacy of two religious prisoners of conscience, one in china and one in taking a stand. So we want to thank you for your leadership in that regard as a pressure that you can stand. Thank you and thank you for joining us. [applause] and now we will hear, we will have the video for former senator Joseph Lieberman. Well, congratulations on the 25th anniversary of the United States commission on International Religious freedom. Im really grateful for the opportunity to join the celebration today, at least in this virtual way. I apologize, ive got a bit of a cold and sore throat so i will not be singing happy anniversary, but i will be singing your praises. I was thinking that theres a famous expression certainly around congress that sausages and laws should not be seen in the making. But the corollary or a follow on to that is that as a legislator, former legislator, i can tell you that when you are fortunate enough to make a law, you are really not sure how its going to be implemented or whether it will work. And as someone who is privileged to work with a lot of people inside congress, particularly senator don nickles, and people outside of congress, on the International Religious freedom act 25 years ago this month, i really thank you for making this law work as well as you have. All of us felt that the idea of having an International Religious Freedom Commission was so fundamental to what america is about, that we didnt know why it did not already happened. I mean, think about it. When the pilgrims arrived on the mayflower and stepped onto the rock in massachusetts, the spiritual leader, William Brewster actually, recited the words of psalm 100. So really from the beginning this was a faithbased country. And, of course, its right here in our constitution and declaration of independence, particularly the catalytic sentence about the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that are the endowment of our creator. And apropos of the religious Freedom Commission, that declaration of the faithbased human rights is universal, its obviously god didnt give as much just to americans, but to the whole world, every person on earth. Its what is so critically important that human rights generally, but also religious freedom specifically, be at the center of our relations with the rest of the world. And thats exactly why we adopted the religious freedom act 25 years ago this month. Truthfully, we were, well, ill read you some words that he spoke on the floor of the senate in october of 1998. A quote for me, this effort begin with some white papers outside congress who educated us to the fact that the religious freedoms that we hold so dear in the United States are not real from millions of people around the world. They were particularly not real for christians who were then subjected to discrimination. And in many cases, persecution. And i would add that is still true in many places in the world today. I do want to say that in my case one of the pied piper is but really a a better word is gady or advocate with Michael Horowitz who made really compelling appeals to me that we needed this kind of commission. And the basic idea that is just so worked so well because of the work that chairman cooper and the members of the commission now and all your predecessors have done, which is to do this annual report of the state of religious freedom in every country in the world, report it to the state department, to the president and thereby put the quest for religious freedom and our responsibility to support it around the world at closer to the center of our American Foreign policy. Its really worked and had a big effect in protecting the religious rights of a lot of people around the world who would not otherwise have been protected. The reality is that the work that you have done in the first 25 years i think will be even more important in the next 25. Religion is like so much else in Human History and our lives that it can either be used for good or bad. And most of the time, my understanding of history tells me that the power of religion, to motivate people to behave well, has been an extremely constructive force, certainly in american life. But it can also be extremely divisive and lead to groups either who are not religious to find religion in their countries as a threat to them or others who are religious to punish people who are not of their religion. And at this time, which is so divided in the world, in which so many people are anxious and angry, unfortunately, the threats to religious freedom may intensify. So the work that you do, and have done so wonderfully for the last 25 years, will even be more important in the years ahead. So what can i say, but thank you. God bless you in your work. You have held america true to what america is all about, and help us fulfill our responsibility to take the blessings of liberty that we enjoy here at home and try to spread them to people around the world. Thank you very, very much for making this law work, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to join you today. All of us. [applause] many thanks again to senator lieberman. And now to a man who personifies and exemplifies what we do here today, commissioner wolf, the floor is yours. [inaudible] well, thank you very much, and thank you for being here. I want to begin by saying i completely agree in the condemnation of the activity of hamas and whats taking place to jewish students on American College campuses. We all should be speaking out against that publicly over and over. I was asked to make some comments on what the environment was at the time, and both inhouse and the senate, and also to toggle bit about what i, and speaking for myself, not for usirf, what i believe you might want to do and should do to make a difference. Pew survey says 80 of the worlds population lives in a religiously repressive nation, and if i went. We see taking place in china, the catholic church, the protestant church, genocide, a cultural genocide against the tibetan buddhists. Ive been in tibet, i have seen with every monastery has a Public Security police there. Can you imagine any own church or synagogue to a secret police there when youre going in to worship . Actual genocide, actual genocide against the uyghur muslims. Weve seen 60,000 a year harvesting of their organs, just so brutal. We see whats taken place. Its going on out over over the world. When the legislation was introduced there was a lot of opposition to it. You would thought it wouldve been looking for people to sit this this is a great idea. There was a lot of opposition. There was opposition by the Clinton Administration and the going to read you something this is sector and Madeleine Albright a speech that she give at catholic university. But the record show, i love Madeleine Albright. Madeleine albright but in my district. She had a farm up in Loudoun County so this is not meant as a criticism of Madeleine Albright. But administration at the time was supposed in the state department and she said at a speech which interesting was october 23, today, back in seven 1997 and heres what secretary albright said at a speech speech at catholic university. She said, it would establish a new and unneeded bureaucracy and deprive u. S. Officials of the flexibility required to protect the overall Foreign Policy interest of the United States. They were opposed to it. The state department was opposed to it. I am very grateful and associate public, i am grateful that resident clinton signed it in spite of the opposition by some in the administration. Secondly, the Business Community opposed it. I mean, the chamber of commerce and some of the hightech companies . They oppose this thing. They did want to say publicly too much. They worked this hill over and over, and through good offices. Let me just say this is always been particularly inhouse but also in the senate, a bipartisan issue by republicans and democrats came together to kind of do something about it. The circumstances, i think that kind of like two this was, one ugly president reagan said that the words in the constitution and the words in the declaration of independence were a covenant, not a concept but a covenant with the people not only in philadelphia in 1776 and 1787 with the entire world. President reagan and Pope John Paul and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher kind of set the stage if you will when he you saw e fall of the soviet union. Sudan was a big issue in the early 90s. And again, bipartisan republican and democrats many times, i would go to sedan. There was always almost always a democratic member there. There was a democratic and republican head of the sudan caucus. It was, so sedan, remember 1 million christians mainly some muslims were killed by basher. You remember by sheer and utter Osama Bin Laden to live. Osama bin laden lived in sudan. So that kind of led the effort of a lot of people, god bless your colleague syndicate john danforth. President bush appointed danforth to be special envoy but sudan to everybody interested following the fall of the berlin wall. Next, china. When you would go go to chinn remember crist spent and i would go and talk to the underground of catholic bishops and emmett tills the story of the watch what took place at tiananmen and we talked to Tiananmen Square people, family members and everything china just kind of woke up the world to see what was taking place in china. Thirdly, editing this is very important, i dont see it today, i didnt mean that as criticism but i dont say today, the Faith Community was really involved. I wrote down the names last night, chuck olsen. Chuck was just, god bless him, he was on this thing. Michael horowitz and i think senator lieberman for Michael Horowitz with her work this issue. He was with the Heritage Foundation organ Hudson Foundation at the time period nina shea, many of you know burka nina wrote about this, which pushed by this. It was colonel, im invited meeting in my office about a religious freedom issue and i invited some people, colonel earl walked in my office. He was so interested in this issue. Then there were many, many others. Congressman chris smith got bless i think chris smith should be nominated for the nobel peace prize. Chris smith has done more, venmo and said more on this issue but chris was adopted with regard to stay with this. I model this and i went and. The Jewish Community really led the effort on this if you recall there was a large rally. Ronald reagan so, there were houses there. The Jewish Community really did an outstanding job could rabbi saperstein is really involved in help educate me. We pass in the house and there were four, or limp with the bill in it was really good and very important. Senator nichols very important. People saved the book, how many people . Was the last day, don nichols, dan. If you know dan, he is the best 6 00 p. M. From the house had joint session, members were told to go home and coach said we cant get this over there he wanted . Yes. Don nichols and her mother was a law passed in they had not done it, it would never have passed because the opposition was rolling. He mustve been very read my mail time. It would have never passed. I think you have to keep it bipartisan. Looking for successful the dam was republican democrat, you got to keep this bipartisan. The Faith Community have to get back involved. I have always had everything that takes place in government and politics is from culture everything that takes place and culture is from the church, the synagogue, we need the religious community to engage again, it would not have passed, all the groups came together then, they have to come together. I see young people on college campuses, this has to be an issue will bear good on the campus if we can educate them, the young people have to be involved. Next will be controversial. I think we have to lobby for china. I dont believe we can have law firms in time lobby from china their committing genocide against uighur muslims or process from catholic churches so i think one recommendation, then lobbying for china and lobby for any country for four years straight. It would then help because they can go to a country is a but we have to be lobby for china what they are doing and china is aiding russia against ukraine and i support america helping ukraine and china is 80 iran behind secondplace today in his trip lastly, i think congress is to give. Funding but its three and a half billing dollars when you look at the rate, it would be a high so they need to get at least four and a half to 5 million funding inc. Permanent authorization for 35 your authorization to research that i have to wonder think will have a job order. Old republican to come together eligible frederick for it taking place where they become prevented spirits to get us so they can come back and work on this issue, thank you congressman. Before we hear from senator nichols, who will hit a couple of representatives burst from new york, representative. I became a center it would be a problem with that raises he appointed me, i dont want to be in trouble its great to be here with all of you and i want to thank mr. Wolf for his work to bring this together since 25 years ago and the work done during that time. Its been monumental and important work. We seek today with a terrorist attack in israel we still have a lot of work to do and at the core of our society, and our country is our faith. United states and our constitution is based on judeochristian values and the abraham religions have played a key role in the world and when we look today that challenges we are facing, i agree part of the problem we are dealing with this a lack of faith in the public sphere and discourse and we see society crumbling before us, vitriol and hatred. The fact that our public state there is lack of respect for diversity of opinion, he merely described adjectives only cap agree with or a policy and it is destructive have to get back to us more of what unites us, brings humidity together and it is religion. I represent the 17th district of new york, home to one of the largest jewish communities in the country. I am irish Italian Catholic but i have a diverse district, 19 of my district is latino clock most were catholic but a large orthodox Jewish Community. I have a large indian community. You see different religions and cultures communities, this is a district that was representative by benjamin futures of the wernick affairs to serve, and one for get a deal with a lot of these issues, i traveled with Speaker Mccarthy to israel for the 70th anniversary and we got to see the western wall and get a tour of the city of david under excavation. What unites countries and societies, what is happening right now, lucy was happening and for my fees are tragic person in an get back to work and focus on dealing with these issues diving into the substance of it but i can tell you we have seen a rapid rising antisemitism here in the United States just around the world but here in the United States. Needs to be without and it needs to. Anti Zionist Movement is rooted in the semitism. We need to be able to define it, we need to be able to call it out and we need to address it. To take on bad actors around the world whether it china, iran, north korea, russia and unholy alliance and hold them accountable for the Human Rights Violations and war crimes and religious bigotry they have engaged in. I look forward to continuing to work to address these issues so thank you for allowing me to be here you will not hear from congressman tracy. My district is to those of the state, the largest district in the country and some of the products came from our district. My district it would not look like district so i like everyone wholeheartedly to be liked by certain the lower chamber, where running efficiently are all aware but its good to be here. I chair the republican or process will. I know you did a lot of work in the space. My wife is from owosso. You mentioned all inspectors of yesterday my wife and i and our four kids, we drove through russell, population 4000 kansas, home of bob dole and before he was a member of congress. It is an honor to be with you all today in the International Religious freedom act and it is going to hear how it costs. Millions are suffering from religious persecution which we know takes many forms. America does and should stand against religious persecution because religious freedom country that inspired our hundred dollars to step up and faith launched the american experiment 247 is. Knowledge and attack for one person anywhere his attack on religious people for all people everywhere. Twentyfive years ago religious freedom act, the legislation on the Uncertain Terms the United States of america will not sit idly by when people are persecuted and told her or killed for their religious belief. The word of desolation. Me the heaven tomorrow for that served as a reaction. It is the home the brave. Protect soon lives thank you for all your work. [applause] representative mccormick from georgia. Thank you, its good to be with you today. For those of you who dont know me, i am a marine corps pilot and a one the most diverse district in america. Survival came from most people. Here in america we think we have are all kinds of termination. Spent a year in another country. One thing that makes us strong and united is we have a substance of many races and religions and backgrounds not countries you can go regardless we are protesting in, thats what makes america strong. When you have tolerance, you have a society of one religion and as soon as they stepped outside, there are two persecutions and truth is community. One thing i preached you can only appreciate, just the sum violence, discord, some unconventional thoughts and things we disagree with the we live in relative peace compared to the rest of the world and not because we think is on what only one group people. You can be out here in the body right here on the street and its okay, nobody is going to stop you or kill you, nobody is going to put you in jail for a long time. When you disagree with me because this is america and we should count our blessings. Thank you. [applause] thank you, progress, loblaw represented to speak as well. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for this invitation. I want to thank u. S. Commission on religious freedom the ability to speak with you all this afternoon and recognize the members of congress here before and some after me to speak on our fundamental right, religious freedom. The government shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion nor prohibit the free exercise is uniquely american production. The principles that allow us to be a beacon of light even in the most trying times. The real work we know is executing it in the lives of everyone. You all here this afternoon no better than most of us. The commemoration of the International Religious freedom act 1998 at the time were we are witnessing a resurgence of domestic to semitism, islamic phobia, fbi reports of certain churches, bob, cynical at striking levels. We have witnessed the brutal killing of a child, the death of individuals and worship, in the homes a child would be lost because of that person or that. Light is gone. She pager not belong in america or anywhere in the world. Its our duty as members of congress, our duty as americans to work to this, say to our people in the world this will protect you. Each has its own religious tolerance there. One stronghold for many years and the official religion because they were interested in commerce and growth, they were smart to understand the got job religious tolerance and make a place for allrecognize these people would be able to fortify their economy and become a strong merging class. One of the greatest founders was born on the island, began in the 1940s after the creation of his room we had the merchant Palestinian Community also part of our merchant class and we have learned to live with each other to respect each others prediction and work our children can look for me. Its going to spell out, the Grocery Store where Everybody Knows your name and you click the for many generations, youre probably related but it works. At the beginning of understanding in world war ii the holocaust was happening the Jewish Community wrote a letter and said we talk with our local government can take thousands into our island and allow them to come to us we a place here to be able to live. Unfortunately the president did not take a supplement. The lack of religious tolerance and all of us getting along together also to grow. Her High School Teacher was fascinated at the fact that africanamericans girls were taking arabic as their language and the professor asked, why would she take arabic . The next door neighbor take arabic, i need to know what they think about me so i need a mole around the neighborhood and my daughter is taking arabic. We have got to read human. The potential the Founding Fathers were not thinking of religious tolerance as a means of being right but a means of growing in the United States, recognizing our strength is our diversity. American ingenuity only comes about the we continue to bring new ideas, new religion so knowing registered hate crimes need to states posture was targeted because of the religion or traded in the practice, something that cannot continue in our country. We must our own house in order if we live up to the standards of this act. Because of that law and so many, we have seen violators and sanctions for religious minorities and change some laws but still much work to do. Continue to protect religious freedom in the United States and throughout the world. Last year we stood up techno to the horrors of the regime and working through ways and Means Committee and other legislation for the ongoing abuse of the weather is africa or nations like india and turkey, we know we must do more for Free Association practice. You can know you have my commitment and i believe you have Many Americans commitment. Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you all and cant wait to keep going. [applause] thank you, we appreciate you being with us. We will now return to our panel. [inaudible] ill try this one, it works a lot better. A champion on the religious freedom around the world and one reason is to get him off our. He is persistent and i want to say i am pleased, Joe Lieberman was a great cosponsor of the legislation, im sorry he couldnt be here personally. I had the pleasure of traveling with him around the country. One thing we did, we would meet leaders of countries and talk about things of interest we would always bring up religious freedom particularly if they didnt have this or they were being abused and it seemed a sclerotic effort, humor in sudan i remember egypt and china and russia and all of us would bring up wait a minute, why in china are people relegated home churches and what is the government doing with religious leaders for why are uyghurs persecuted like that . And russia, why are the jewish people being really discriminated against . We did it haphazard. They would meet with these different leaders and bring up these issues but it haphazard so what could we do better attacked a commission that stays on top, i remember as a new member in the senate and one of my constituents was sharing gospels and nepal and said this is outlandish and i remember talking to the chairman of the Foreign Relations committee, what can i do . A couple weeks later the original and was imprisoned. I remember in somalia we have an Oklahoma Church group and they had water shortages. Big challenges in africa but they donated the expertise they donated except the slowing government would tax them so it would be impossible to send but these are incremental individuals coming from a Mission Group . And religious, i remember practicing and there was a Church Bombing that killed 100 people and they were worshiping, while. Its hard to imagine the United States because you can drop by anytime there is unlimited number of shares, not only in the majority of the world, the population of the world does not have religious freedom so what can we do about in a constructive manner . That was the genesis of this legislation and im proud of those people who implement and worked on. The staff member helped us in the legislation, doug badger and it would be important to be done. Commend you because youre staying on top of it. It is vitally important to continue exposing abuse, shaming those people who are using an helping. Theres so much involved in the Prayer Breakfast and was interested for International Community is the most we would put together and help to bring about understanding, coalescing amongst all and i want to thank you for your outstanding efforts and god continue to bless you. [applause] thank you so much. Sadly thousands are in present whether peaceful religious activity. People have endured torture, inhumane Living Conditions that forced this deprivation of medical care and advocacy on their behalf is crucial to calling out the grandmother. Members of congress human will will. Thirty four human rights conditions govern further leadership and commitment. Its worth noting between is here, i leader on this subject and i would like to a moment honor her. [applause] established dfp in december 2012 and since then 60 congressional members, both house and senate advocated for 100 prisoners, a wide variety of backgrounds. User has long reported individual is advocated for the leave. In 2016. Congress passed legislation requiring to more formally compile such cases for the American Public in the world. The International Religious freedom act mandated public victims List Database document individual who has been detained, and tortured or forced to renounce their faith because of their religious or religious activity. Since then, more than 2000 victims, a mere handful of the numbers imprisoned by 40 countries and to tease around the world. Countries with the highest representation it includes china, russia, iran, pakistan, it was back within, india, saudi arabia and others like nicaragua this year alone. A list of shame. This has been a team effort will like to acknowledge and former offers whether working design at this moment we will continue to see a list of names and i would like to ask for a moment of silence in honor of these. Telemark. [silence] [silence] [silence] you very much. The names and faces of the victims can be seen on t screen before you. Advocate for prisoners byraing e u. S. Department of state, congress and former special and publicly speak out on present cases ofhlamia during his visit the prisoners in jail or met wh their families, cases direct deposit encouraging authorities to provideong overdue release this time we are going to have a panel to discuss these issues and we have director strategy and is primary session we are going to have a discussion here, please welcome these guests. [applause] as commissioner is making his way over, we are going to hear from another representative and august with Debbie Schultz from florida,. Thank you so much, i appreciate the opportunity to join today. Bring an end to religious persecution, i would you mention i have the privilege of serving god individual fighting for religious freedom and put the spotlight on those suffering from persecution. All of your freedom act a moral imperative that rings true for all americans freedom of religion universal right of passage of legislation, this has played a central role in freedom of religion and belief and identified policies to promote improvement and brings expertise. Religious. Ambassador in this role. I have seen progress to hold regimes accountable and provide under President Bidens leadership President Biden has taken possible action in this regime while operating safe harbor for refugees on religious grounds. This is a clear demonstration of all countries bio. Observed this environment and assist especially personal from my own damn stable general bigotry information that leaves us all. It is especially dangerous to syncretism and believe social media platforms and institutions go handinhand to combat digital that the work is finished, we religious notice. I am looking at the expertise provided and so much depends on our leadership and working on a bipartisan basis will. As chair, let me think representative Debbie Weston is she has lived up to it everyday. From the president of burgess from utah. Thank you. Thank you. Let me your faith, family premarket, education and as we become Perfect Union and has made us different and as i look at going up, we do a better job away that we have a better job. People commemorating the 20th anniversary of religious freedom act 1998. The right that knows no boundary and a quarter of a century ago, our commitment to promoting universal rights and we maintain and like corporate of the understanding of religious freedom, it is a cornerstone of democracy and human dignity. Make religious freedom top priority and the faith around the world. Twentyfive years there is an impact. Those in the face of adversity compromise faith held accountable for religious freedom and progress in the struggle. We cannot rest, we must lead in with mark dedication in the should empower us to envision, much more has to be done. We must adopt policies to evolve religious freedom. We have a commitment, let us Work Together to ensure all people regardless of faith will believe live a life free of persecution and discrimination. Lets honor the legacy universal rights to religious freedom is truly universal. We have remarkable history, one that believes in a perfect unity into what to believe we can be equal in the eyes of those around us society for the dreams we have made some good things happen so thank you for giving us our foundation, religious freedom and embrace and have conversations so they can so much for that and we make sure the next 45 years we become much better because of freedom of religion, thank you so much for that. [applause] thank you, congressman. Thank you for your comments and thank you for sitting on this panel with us. I will ask if you are us out here. Can you tell us what led to the founding and your hopes for the project . Thank you. I was thinking a lot about that question and there are five points i want to make. What led to the importance of personalizing, talking to me a week or two ago, we are all numb by the people who are persecuted, horrible event happening in the world and we get taken. At the same time there is division and we are all numb. Individualizing and personalizing cut through the noise and we want what will do that, look at the pictures and the names of the people, we can comprehend one, we cant comprehend millions. My second thing is focusing on religion facing fees same challenges, how do you cut through the noise and breakthrough in focus on individuals with a religious belief, the actual practices, how do you do it the jewelry movement had a model for us, synagogues, jewish campuses and reach out to allies and every community there was a picture of a soviet jew, they met with members put things in the oped. They personalize injustice and succeeded largely so with the support of commissioner, this realization led to partners for the international creating this project. It is a joy to collaborate work with anderson who works for representative will. I want to thank the Current Commission staff are continuing to work on the project. My hope for members of Congress Work in support of individual, using their influence to try to work in support not only of prisoners which is the goal but laws and practices that got them to change in the first place and many of them did but if you want me to check out my hope for the future, more needs to be done and we need to members of congress cut through the noise in fact can come from working at the grassroots and Civil Society working there chapters to do what the movement did. Bring up members of congress, make it important that i think that will help to make it important in d. C. I want to thank you for continued support in the project,. Thank you for the invitation and permission to join you alternate in this wonderful celebration the commission has done. We had a great time working together so it is a real pleasure to be with you today. Coming on a long history of supporting individuals for specific context going way back, the first thing is recognizing in one place incredible advocates for human rights for the work we do would be possible without people on the ground documenting and being doing to take their concerns and hold them accountable and accompany victims and that is true for all human rights including those who advocate their right for the freedom of conscience and religion. It was an opportunity say we recognize the risk people taken simply advocating for human rights most country in the world support the human rights brought the recognizing advocating for the right to contain leading people to be attacked and even killed so it is an opportunity to highlight those individuals in a way of bringing members of Congress Human Rights in those members have been able to talk to with the opportunity to advocate for religious freedom defenders, its been a wonderful thing, a great feeling and great experience with an opportunity to improve conditions and perhaps often tortured and living in miserable conditions under the lease, it is a personal connection to everything human like mean for individuals with 25 members of congress participate in advocated according to statistics they quickly theres room for somebody mark. Thank you ladies again for their work, their diligence and i know i speak for everyone on the commission, all hope is everyone will find somebody to care about the will adopt and advocate for them. Overbook or be another list on a stack of papers. We appreciate your work as well. Fiftysix individuals are currently in place 12 by released under harsh conditions. This is a major part continues to be part of it. We currently 15 cases and the victims list. This makes for approximately 21 of defending freedom project before becomes just. A couple of cases, it was disappeared in 1995 and coaches regularly called the Chinese Government to allow for his wellbeing. President of the Human Association of nigeria. Jamie raskin acip multiple letters to the president calling for his release. Finally, for a Success Story of the project to demonstrate the impact these projects have, who we will hear from shorty y was released on september 8 of this year. Five years before the end of his 11 year prison since. As result of an agreement negotiated by the Biden Administration. As his dfp advocate, so lofgren said letter to the Administration Since calling for them to push for his release since taking the case in 2020, including a letter to President Biden that was sent just before his release. [applause] thank you to our folks. We sure appreciate it. We have some video testimony that will show directly after this event so i hope youll stick around and watch some of those. Ill pass it to the commissioner. Thank you. Commissioner ueland, it were yesterday if you dont mind would like to hear from another congressional representative who was with dash who is with us, congressman Jonathan Jackson from illinois. Congressman jackson. [applause] thank you very much. My name is congressman Jonathan Jackson. I served the first Congressional District of illinois. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the members of the commission, to the religious authorities that are here today. And i must say im a firstterm congressman and this has been one of my highest and greatest meetings that i had on the hill. That there is room for religion, there is room for peace, and was give peace a chance. Ive had the opportunity to travel to many hostage areas around the world with my father, the reverend jesse jackson. I which is like to highlight an. When we went to meet assad is a to bring back lieutenant Robert Goodman cut it was discovered that the united united sy members and the state department were not even talking to the president of syria at the time period and thats how his release was secured. We will need to Saddam Hussein after had created human shields, 400 persons, we flew into amman jordan after the was an embargo and flew into iraq am met with president Saddam Hussein. This a while president george bush was transmitting emails and sending out links over cnn. The leaders had stopped talking. At that point we will to go in and meet with Saddam Hussein, going to the green room, the green zone and 400 hostages by giving peace pitches. Without a government portfolio, in syria, without a government portfolio and iraq, able to return prisoners home, talking with ecumenical leaders giving peace a chance. And now when we see that were on the brink of war, i would tell you and leaves leavh this. In the book of matthew, blessed are the peacemakers, not peacekeepers, the peacemakers, those who are willing to dirty hands and keep a clean heart. Those that are willing to reconcile people on both sides. We must give peace a chance. I see we have a large gunboat officer and another spent horrific acts and atrocities, and people have been killed and brutalized, and now there is murder and now there is people being killed and astronomical numbers somewhere we have to break the cycle of pain and to give peace a chance. Our scriptures teaches in the Christian Faith that those are the people called the children of god, those are trying to look at this through gods eyes, they cannot be a radical idea to sign a letter like i signed to give a ceasefire in peace a chance. That should be the norm. I would like to see not just a gunboat office sure strengthening defense but also strengthening our diplomacy. As we speak right now theres not a confirmed ambassador from the United States to israel. Theres not a confirmed ambassador from the United States to egypt. We must give peace a chance can equal parts defense and april part diplomacy to give peace a chance. And in closing we remember the words of the prophet rabbi abraham henschel. The prophets give us hope. The politicians can stir fear. When faith is completely replace by creed, worship by discipline, love my habit, when the crisis of today ignored because of the splendor of the past, when faith becomes an heirloom, rather than a living fountain, when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless. These are the words of rabbi abraham henschel. This is a rabbi the work very closely with reverend Martin Luther king. I am for people in this chamber and those that are watching let us move forward in god great and letter sent peaceful meaning as best we can stronger since costal diplomacy to give peace a chance. I thank you. [applause] congressman jackson, thank you for sharing your honest views and invoking the new testament. I just like to briefly quote the Old Testament the king solomon said theres a time to love and a time to hate. Theres a time for peace and the time for war. When you of absolute evil, deal with that and then bring all the peacemakers, let them help heal different nations, and bring people together. But the Old Testament of the torah also instructs us that when you are confronted with absolute evil, you have to do with it or only it will grow. So thank you for your honesty. We appreciate that you are here. And as a rabbi i felt i wanted to just share some words. [inaudible] thank you very much. [applause] good afternoon. My name is eric and i caught to conserve as commission on u. S. Commission on International Religious freedom. We have talked a lot today about our past 25 years and so may people who support the cause of religious freedom here at home and around the globe. And before we move forward quickly i would like to recognize in the audience a former usirf commissioner carr a former chairman and now the cochairman of the International Religious freedom summit, Katrina Lantos wet. If you could please rise so we can all say thank you very much for everything youve done. Really appreciate it. [applause] in addition to the many members of congress who have joined us today so far which demonstrates the breadth and depth of our support, we have received written remarks from senator ben cardin and video remark some senators James Lankford, marco rubio, tommy tuberville, and representative Jared Huffman and representative darren soto. I will read the letter of store senator cardin and they will run the video remark. Senator cardin wrote to all of us today, dear friends, i would like to extend a warm welcome to a go and attend todays event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the International Religious freedom act of 1998 and establishment of the United States commission on International Religious freedom. Since its establishment 25 years ago, the commission on International Religious freedom has championed you believe the people to exercise their rights to freedom of religion or belief. I was proud to vote for the legislation which created the commission and i will continue to support the commissions efforts to draw attention to the worst violators of this fundamental human right. This event provides an important opportunity to reflect on the impact the commission is made on our nation and the International Community as a champion of religious freedom. It is also a time to reflect on how the commission can further elevate its efforts. As we all know that far too many countries continue to restrict or deny these fundamental freedoms. The commission has been and will continue to be a powerful force to protect the rights of those who wish to practice their belief without fear of persecution. I commend the commission on International Religious freedom for its continued leadership and service to the global community. Best wishes for for a wondel event to all of you. Sincerely, ben cardin, Chairman Senate Foreign Relations commission. Thank you, senator cardin. [applause] with that will go to our video remarks. I am senator James Lankford and i wish i could be there with you in the beautiful room to also celebrate with you 25 years of the International Religious freedom act. The significant affect and a civic time and, quite frankly, think about the late 90s all those going on around the world, the cold war come down, the rise of freedom around the world, theres a real sense of optimism that we the opportunity build a push out and have significant change pierpont has been significant progress on the issues religious freedom in many areas around the world. We seen even in the past few weeks the real pain, the real trauma of antisemitism. People violently attacking people based on visitor we can only initial and heinous terrorist attacks there. Weve seen in china Public Interest be able to have it over and over again with the uyghur muslims, the tibetan buddhists and the limitations they continued to be able to face into in the reeducation camps. We seen in nigeria. Recent and allies and friends like india and the limitations of freedom thats happened there. So many people that are just trying to live their faith. Of course we talked over and over again about pakistan. Our continual push to be able to make sure that we are congealino pakistan to account for what is occurring. Listen, weve made a lot of progress. There are many areas to celebrate but there will always be areas of focus. So im so grateful for you for the continued were to have, for my friends at a state so in case in this make sure that government leaders around the world and members of the United States government also never forget there are people every day that just want to be able to get up in the morning and he be able to live their faith for that day. Continue to be able to speak out for those folks because were freedom of faith fries, freedom also thrives. God bless you. Thank you. I look forward to getting a chance to see facetoface in the days ahead to personally say thank you for your work. [applause] senator marco rubio here. Thank you for the opportunity to speak you today at a special want to thank don nickles, Joe Lieberman and frank wolf. Or than two decades ago you wrote the legislation that would make the u. S. Commission on International Religious freedom our reality. And in doing so you laid the groundwork for a committed and clear eyed advocacy on behalf of of the persecutor. That of existence a lot of good over the years. Unfortunately, we didnt now more than ever. On the seventh of october of this year was the deadliest day for jews since a holocaust, and in todays up followed we saw the ancient voice of antisemitism rear its ugly head once again. We sought in middle east where supporters of loss cheered the slaughter, the rate, the mutilation, the kidnapping of innocent israelis. And tragically weve also seen here in america with our own College Students often defending the terrorists. And thats that all the religious oppression is on the rise in china, nicaragua and nigeria in many other places. America cant stop all these horrors, but it can shine a light on them. Thats what makes this commission so valuable. Under its want to know persecutors can hide their dirty work no matter where you live. So thank you again to everyone here. God bless you, and god bless america. [applause] hey, this is coach tommy tuberville. I just wanted to committed to join you as you mark the 25th anniversary of the International Religious freedom act. I want to say thank you to you, sir, for all you do to protect the rights of the religious minorities around the world. Was a bipartisan bill that recognized our first freedom, the freedom of religion. Yet from cuba to iran to north korea all over our world there are attacks of religious religious freedoms. Worst of all, we have seen threat to religious freedoms here and at home. Todays radical folk ideology has redefined the religious beliefs on billions of christians, muslims, and use as bigotry and hatred. Anyone who does not bow down to the new bloke orthodoxy gets canceled. In canada or the united kingdom, which were built by people of faith, is now, it is now illegal to read certain passages from the bible in public. Christians in england have been arrested for praying silently in front of abortion clinics. This is absolutely appalling, ridiculous. Our founders would have had no doubt that this is tyranny. James madison wrote that all men have a right to their property, and the most sacred property is there selfconscious. Yet in todays america the vocal left has tried to redefine freedom and freedom of religion as freedom of belief. But thats somewhat our constitution says. The constitution protects the free exercise of religion. Its not just the freedom to believe in your head. Its the freedom to live out your faith. Like you, i am deeply troubled by these trends at home and abroad. But thats what im so grateful to you, sir, and the countless, countless people of faith who are working and praying everyday for the full protection of freedom of religion. I take comfort in the words of st. Paul. It is for freedom that christ has set us free. Thank you, and god bless you in your very, very, very important work. [applause] hello. Im congressman darren soto and happy to join the u. S. Commission on International Religious freedom to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Religious freedom act up 1898. In floridas ninth Congressional District we have so many different religions from christian to jewish to muslim, hindu and more. And im so proud to be able to embrace and support all these different constituents as they practice the First Amendment rights here in the United States, and as we respected these rights around the world. As we did with the struggles in middle east its a reminder that we need to make sure to respect all religions and peoples ability to practice them. Once again, excited to commemorate the 25th anniversary here today. Thank you. [applause] i think its back to me. I know that a number of people in the audience are looking at their watches. Now, heres the good news. Bystander jewish time, were actually early. [laughing] however, by congressional time and also because of the use of this amazing haul, we realize we are about 15 minutes over. We are going to crunch the last section and hope that everyone will be able to stay. Its been an absolute remarkable afternoon. But for this last section, let me go to each of the commissioners to introduce themselves and to share a few thoughts. First, my close friend, my brother in faith, commissioner mohammad atmar. Thank you very much, chairman comer. We are nine of us, gimmick of us not hear. Commissioner nuri and susie goleman, they are not here. We really appreciate the service and the contribution to this commission. But before i i say my little remarks, i want to say that i am, as a clergy, as a matter of faith, im a really disturbed by the loss of civilian lives in israel and palestine, in gaza. And also antisemitism and islamophobia in america on campuses, also the loss of many lives as we speak now of civilians in gaza, children and, therefore, we have to value all human lives. But im really standing with my brothers and sisters in the Jewish Community, and brothers and sisters in muslim community, and we should model in america not to allow the rise in antisemitism and islamophobia in the United States. And as we modeled by people of faith to young people on campuses. Thats all my first things i want to say. [applause] the other things that asked me to explain to you what the commission does. You know, this wonderful staff of hours, they are the one who the brain of this commission. We have the spokespeople of the commission of the do wonderful research, decision about religious freedom around the world. And our commission make reports to the president of the United States. As secretary of state and to congress. And as you have seen that we publish a list of prison of conscious. So we raise awareness in this country about the importance of religious freedom around the world. Thats my remark. [applause] thank you, commissioner. Is this working . Yeah. Good afternoon, everybody. First of all im steven schneck, i was appointed to the emission less you by President Biden. Its honor to be a today and stand with you all calverley bearing witness to the importance of freedom of religion and freedom of belief around the world. So thank you for your patience and your time period i have been asked to read senator joe manchin of West Virginia sent us attacks and ivan asked to read that text. So bear with me. Its from senator manchin. I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Religious freedom act. My wife and former chair of the commission on International Religious freedom and i are undeniably committed to advancing religious freedom for people in the United States and throughout the world. Freedom of religion as a bedrock principle of our democracy and the foundation of a free and prosperous society. The Founding Fathers understood religious freedom to be a universal human right for everyone. Oftentimes we can take our right to practice religion freely for granted. As you know there are been several acts of violence committed against religious can reduce here in the United States and across the world in the wake of the ongoing conflict between israel and terrorist groups in the gaza strip. Antisemitism is fundamental to the principle of hamas, whose heinous attacks led to the single worst mass killing of jews since the holocaust. We must come together and everything in our power to reject antisemitism and hatred in all of its forms. For 25 years the irfa, International Religious freedom act, has made important steps toward advancing religious freedom the office of International Religious freedom and the state department, a position of ambassador at large for International Religious freedom, and you surf usirf, our commission. Irfa is recognized by International Law allowing of individual the right to believe or not to believe and to live at ones beliefs honestly and without fear. In 2019 my colleagues and i successfully came together to reauthorize usirf and renew its mandate to advance International Religious freedom. We have taken these important steps, now more than ever, we must work everyday to defend and support religious freedom at home and abroad. As a member of the Senate Appropriations committee, i am committed to ensuring that usirf and office of International Religious freedom at the state department have the resources they need to defend this sacred right around the globe. Senator manchin. [applause] i have also been tasked here at the conclusion of our meeting to make the ask. So, what now can be done . Speaking for you then mesh speaking for usirf we urge Business Issues of cpc designation were effectively. Too many of the state department cpc countries are repeatedly named, as year result in little or no substantive change. Accordingly, we recommend that the state department impose more meaningful consequences on violator governments when it comes to its pc. For example, it should not issue waivers based on other interests u. S. Interest that have so far allowed pakistan, saudi arabia, to do to stand turkmenistan to avoid penalties for the religious freedom abuses. Take a moment to think and appreciate the scope and the depths of the work that usirf had been passed by congress. In terms of recommendations to congress, we urge the relevant committees to hold oversight hearings on usirf on policy. We also recommend that individual members of congress raise International Freedom issues on hearings, floor speeches and congressional delegations abroad, and advocate for religious prisoners of conscious to the tom lantos human rights commissions defending freedoms project. We just heard about. We also Hope Congress will permanently reauthorize usirf bipartisan support in congress for religious of Freedom Abroad is a powerful driver of u. S. Leadership on this important issue and helps ensure that americas commitment to International Religious freedom remains strong. And let me say in closing that i completely agree with my colleague of former congressman frank wolf here on my right. Usirf needs a budget in line with what the original intention or when it was created in 1998. Thank you all very much. [applause] thank you, commissioner. I have the distinct pleasure of introducing the people who make all this happened every day, who are extraordinary committed public servants, make us look very, very good. And to do with our married questions, comments, and sometimes harassment about various things. We do it in fellowship and in love with them. So were going to ask the entire staff of the United States commission on International Religious freedom to stand. So will you all stand . [applause] thank you. And we had one or just call you do to reduce yourselves and talk about your portfolios, but we are not on Congress Time and not on rabbi coopers time, so we will have to come will encourage everyone here who doesnt know you to go to the website and see youre your really very impressive bios and your professional college or your professional history. So thank you. And tragically, that applause was in lieu of a welldeserved raise. [laughing] although were working on it. We are working on it we are working on it. We do owe everyone on the staff and amazing thank you because based on their Amazing Research work and skills we go out to heads of state, to the media, to the public, and tried also have people who are desperately in need of assistance, and the backbone of what it is that we do is all the work of the amazing people who are part of our team, or it might say we are part of your team. One other comment about the audience. Im pretty sure that just about everyone else who is sitting here today, themselves either through choice or through fate, are also human rights leaders, courageous people who have made a difference in their native lands, some of whom hope to get back some day. In the meantime, american is a much more amazing and stronger place i virtue of your presence here. We are so grateful for each and every one of you. And for those of you who have the time, and about three minutes we will show the videos of testimony of some of those great individuals. But for now, without a gavel, we thank you all for coming, and we call this meeting to an end. Thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] tue, Alejandra Mayorkas and the director of the Counterterrorism Center testified. Watch live at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan now. In studio with James Lindsay who goes by jim Senior Vice President at the council on fortune relations and hottest of the president s inbox podcast. Guest thank you for having me. Host can you tell me about your podcast . Guest it is a weekly interview show that has me sit with experts for