February 7, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Jim McDermott (WA-07), Jim Moran (VA-08), John Conyers (MI-14), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Michael Honda (CA-15) and Keith Ellison (MN-05) sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner asking the House to take up an emergency resolution to voice support for the Egyptian people.

“The House of Representatives has an opportunity to show its support for the Egyptian people during their time of need,” the letter reads. “The resolution should further affirm that the Egyptian people alone have the right to determine the future of their government but that it has become clear the Mubarak regime has exhausted its credibility and done irreparable harm to its relationship to the Egyptian people.”

Urging expediency, the group requested that the resolution underscore that the U.S. Congress supports the Egyptian people’s fight for democracy and calls on their government to immediately halt aggression against the protestors, return access to communication tools, and ask President Mubarak to respond to the legitimate demands of the Egyptian people.


The full text of the letter follows:

February 7, 2011

The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker
United States House of Representatives
H-232 United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In view of the tragic violence unfolding in Egypt, we write to request that the House take up an emergency resolution in support of the Egyptian people and their struggle for freedom and democracy as soon as possible upon returning to session.

Congress can and should send a strong message calling on the Egyptian government to immediately halt any aggression against the Egyptian people by forces aligned with their regime. The Egyptian military should be strongly encouraged to intercede to protect vulnerable, unarmed citizens. We must urge the government to respect the Egyptian people’s right to assemble peacefully, and to stop blocking the access to communication that is a basic right of free people.

The resolution should further affirm that the Egyptian people alone have the right to determine the future of their government but that it has become clear the Mubarak regime has exhausted its credibility and done irreparable harm to its relationship to the Egyptian people. Therefore, now is the time for Congress to help amplify President Obama’s message calling on President Mubarak to respond to the urgent and legitimate demands of the Egyptian people.

The Egyptian people are fighting for freedom and democracy, principles upon which our nation was founded. This is a new day not only for Egypt and the Middle East, but for democracy worldwide. The House of Representatives has an opportunity to show its support for the Egyptian people during their time of need and further their efforts to achieve freedom by passing the aforementioned resolution. We appreciate your consideration and encourage your support.

Sincerely,

Rep. Jim McDermott
Rep. James P. Moran
Rep. John Conyers, Jr.
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva
Rep. Michael M. Honda
Rep. Keith Ellison

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