74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
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 LC 3462
 
                    House Joint Resolution 53
 
Sponsored by Representative THATCHER
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges Oregonians to divest of investment holdings in foreign
companies that have substantial interests in Iran.
 
                        JOINT RESOLUTION
  Whereas the people of Iran are members of an ancient, rich and
vibrant culture; and
  Whereas the Iranian people are the victims of an oppressive
regime; and
  Whereas the regime is dominated by radical clerics whose goals
are contrary to those of the people; and
  Whereas the Iranian government is seeking nuclear weapons in
defiance of the international community; and
  Whereas many experts believe Iran would use any nuclear weapons
it acquires to attack the United States, its interests and its
allies; and
  Whereas the CIA World Factbook states that 'Iran has been
designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in
Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US
economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued
involvement'; and
  Whereas the CIA World Factbook further states that 'Iran is a
source, transit, and destination country for women and girls
trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and
involuntary servitude; according to foreign observers, women and
girls are trafficked to Pakistan, Turkey, the Persian Gulf, and
Europe for sexual exploitation, while boys from Bangladesh,
Pakistan, and Afghanistan are trafficked through Iran en route to
Persian Gulf states where they are ultimately forced to work as
camel jockeys, beggars, or laborers; Afghan women and girls are
trafficked to the country for forced marriages and sexual
exploitation; women and children are also trafficked internally
for the purposes of forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and
involuntary servitude'; and
  Whereas the United States Department of State has condemned
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a 'continuing stream of
hateful invective,' which has included denials that the Holocaust
occurred, praise for the stroke suffered by former Israeli
premier Ariel Sharon and a desire to see the end of both Israel
and the United States; and
  Whereas Iran has been recognized as supporting the enemies of
America and the people of Iraq, including providing personnel,
weapons and operational support that is directly responsible for
the injury and death of American service personnel abroad; and
  Whereas the United States Department of State has listed Iran
as one of only five state sponsors of terrorism, and Iran has
been so listed since January 19, 1984; and
  Whereas the Iranian regime is able to survive only with the
help of foreign investment; and
  Whereas this support allows for the continued oppression of the
Iranian people and the escalating threat Iran poses to the peace
and stability of the Middle East, and free people everywhere;
now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  That we, the members of the Seventy-fourth Legislative
Assembly, ask Oregon's business community, individual investors
within the State of Oregon and state investment managers to
examine their portfolios carefully to determine if they may have
investment holdings in foreign companies that have substantial
interests in the Islamic Republic of Iran; and be it further
  Resolved, That if such investment holdings are found, we urge
that these investors find prudent and expedient ways to divest of
such holdings, so as not to support the nefarious aims of the
Iranian regime; and be it further
  Resolved, That we reiterate our support for the people of Iran,
and send to them wishes for a prosperous and safe future free
from the shackles of the theocracy that currently oppresses them,
and support their efforts to move toward a government
characterized by self-determination, tolerance for divergent
ideas and freedom of expression.
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