Issues in Nicaragua

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama for yielding time. I rise today to urge my colleagues to support passage of H. Res. 1019, introduced by my colleague from Alabama (Mr. Moore), in response to the Nicaraguan government's unjust imprisonment of 11 pastors associated with Mountain Gateway, a missionary group based here in the United States.

This wrongful imprisonment is not the first time Nicaragua has persecuted good Samaritans trying to help their impoverished Nation. In recent years, Nicaragua has arrested Catholic missionaries, as well as members of the Red Cross.

As the United States Congress, we have a vested interest in both upholding international religious freedom and the safety and security of American citizens currently targeted.

I join my colleagues to call on the Nicaraguan government to rescind these unjust charges immediately and release the pastors.

To the pastors and persecuted Christians everywhere, I encourage them with this passage from Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source