|
Washington, DC -- {U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement Friday, applauding the efforts of Governor Crist and other Florida lawmakers for passing and signing into law the Protecting Florida's Investments Act (SB 2142/HB 703), which would divest Florida's $150 billion pension fund from Iran's energy sector.
"I applaud Governor Crist for signing this landmark legislation into law today, and would like to thank Senator Ted Deutch, Representative Ari Porth, Senator Jeff Atwater, and Representative Adam Hasner for their leadership on this issue. This law will send a message to the Iranian leadership that those of us in Florida refuse to stand by while they move forward with their nuclear programs and send weapons to Iraqi and Taliban extremists who destabilize the region and kill brave members of our military. And I hope that the Sudanese government understands that we will not hesitate to use divestment as one of our many tools to stop the genocide in Darfur.
"Additionally, I urge other states to swiftly follow Florida's example. With actions from several states, along with measures I've supported in the House seeking to isolate Iran and Sudan, the United States can weaken these dangerous regimes."
Rep. Klein is a co-sponsor of two measures that feature sanctions and divestment from Iran. The Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, introduced by Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee would close loopholes in existing sanctions law to prohibit US companies from investing in Iran's energy sector. Rep. Klein is also a co-sponsor of the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007, which would not only affirm states' authority to divest from Iran, but would also protect investment fund managers who remove their investments from Iran's energy sector from legal action.
Rep. Klein serves as Vice-Chair of the Middle East Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
|
