[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 10636-10637] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]INTRODUCTION OF IRAN GAS QUARANTINE RESOLUTION ______ HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK of illinois in the house of representatives Thursday, June 8, 2006 Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, today, I am reintroducing a resolution with Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) which emphasizes that the crisis regarding Iran's nuclear program should be resolved primarily through diplomatic means. I choose diplomacy over conflict; and I believe the United States and our allies can achieve our ends to the Iranian nuclear program without firing a shot. By focusing on Iran's reliance on gasoline imports, this concurrent resolution suggests a thoughtful and effective approach to diplomacy with Iran. [[Page 10637]] The resolution I introduce today states that as part of the diplomatic effort, the United States should consider a gasoline quarantine, organized and enforced by a multilateral coalition of nations. This action would be a strong yet prudent action to dissuade Iran from joining the nuclear club. Despite its wealth of crude oil, Iran imports nearly 40 percent of its refined gasoline. For years, the Iranian regime has subsidized this imported gasoline by $3 billion a year to keep prices artificially low in order to maintain economic and political stability. A quarantine, and the resulting spike in prices, would be catastrophic to the regime's stability. The Iranian economy is nearly at its breaking point due to crushing unemployment, inflation, and the rush of foreign investors leaving the Islamic Republic. A quarantine would push the government's ability to spend to the breaking point, forcing them to consider compromise. Congressman Andrews and I introduced a similar resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 177, on June 14, 2005. Since that time, Iran selected an unpredictable and belligerent new leader. Iran has restarted uranium enrichment and paraded missiles through the street with banners saying ``Death to America'' and ``Wipe Israel off the Map.'' This resolution reflects the current situation with respect to Iran, and suggests an innovative solution to the nuclear impasse. I want to thank my good friend Congressman Robert Andrews for being the lead co-sponsor of this legislation. I look forward to working with him and my other colleagues on this important foreign policy initiative. ____________________