The U.S. Representative for Texas Lance Gooden joined the Online Free Iran Global Summit. In his remarks, Rep. Gooden said, “No matter what you see in the news about the division in United States politics, it is true we argue and disagree on many things, but on the one matter that we’re all in agreement on it’s that the people of Iran deserve to be free.”

The Iranian opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) managed to hold this year’s annual gathering virtually on July 17. Given the novel coronavirus pandemic and its restriction, many dignitaries commended the NCRI’s ability and determination for connecting 30,000 locations to Ashraf-3, home to members of the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

Here is the speech of Rep. Gooden: 

Hi, I’m Congressman Lance Gooden from the state of Texas in the United States Congress, and I want to say hello to everyone today, and thank you for having me. About a year ago, I was there in that room with you in Albania and I had a wonderful experience and I had conversations with so many of you who told me your story.

I toured your home there—your temporary home, your home is in Iran—but I toured the area. I had wonderful visits with so many of you. and I just wanted to encourage you and thank you for what you’re doing.

I also want to let you know that the members of the United States Congress are fully behind you. The President is behind you. And no matter what you see in the news about the division in United States politics, it is true we argue and disagree on many things, but on the one matter that we’re all in agreement on it’s that the people of Iran deserve to be free.

And we stand with you in your fight. I feel like we are making great progress. These are difficult times all across the world right now. But I want to encourage you and thank you for what you’re doing. And thank you to Madame Rajavi for all she’s doing.

Lance Gooden

She is fighting alongside you and making progress that we’ve never seen before here in the U.S. And I’m encouraged and I look forward to being with you next year, not in Albania, but in Iran together when we’re there and you’re back in your country and the people of Iran are free.

I want to encourage the young people who may be watching this to continue your fight, continue your resistance, and be encouraged that you’re not alone in your fight and that the people in governments around the world, especially the United States, are firmly behind you. Thank you so much. Good luck to you and God bless.