Marine Families: Hold Iran Accountable

The current flare-up of hostilities in Lebanon is for some American families a poignant reminder of events two decades ago, when Hezbollah militants attacked the U.S. barracks in Beirut, killing 241 Marines who had been stationed as an international peace-keeping force. Those Marines were members of the same unit that is currently helping to evacuate American citizens trapped in Lebanon.

"We understand only too well how Hezbollah uses terrorism to advance its radical goals,� said Lynn Smith Derbyshire, whose brother was killed in the Beirut bombing. "Hezbollah must no longer be allowed to terrorize the citizens of the world, whether in Israel, the United States or in Lebanon.�

Derbyshire is a member of a group called: "Justice For Marine Corps Families � Victims of Terrorism� that for years has pushed the U.S. government to hold Hezbollah�s sponsors in Iran and Syria accountable for the actions of their proxy army.

In March 2003, a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that when Hezbollah attacked the Marines in October 1983, the terrorist organization carried out the direct will of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Ministry of Information and Security. As punishment, the judge found Iran financially liable for the attacks.

The government of Iran retains commercial investments in the U.S. and is using profits made on American soil to finance more terrorism through Iranian-controlled banks that have invested Iranian funds in U.S. property. Legislation is pending in Congress that clarifies language in existing laws so that the families and victims of the 1983 Beirut bombing may target these illicit investments to collect on court-ordered damages.

"By passing H.R. 865 and S. 1257, Congress can stop Iran from funding more attacks by Hezbollah with money that is made right here in the United States,� said Steve Forbes.

"Hezbollah militants killed our loved ones without consequence, and now they are attacking other nations,� said Derbyshire. "We can stop this is by passing laws that will take action against Hezbollah for atrocities already committed.�