Whether we're talking about MeK and Camp Ashraf. Whether we're talking about people in Iran who have a tremendous desire for freedom and democracy. Or of course whether we're talking about Iran as it looks at nuclear efforts that many of us believe clearly are headed in a bad direction.
I think the fact that this great panel would come together this morning and, frankly, that this room would have this many people in it indicates that the level of people that are in this room, indicates the concern and interest and many families, the agony of this ongoing discussion of what can we do to help make this problem better.
I'm going to let the panel introduce themselves. I'm going to stay for a few minutes and let my good friend [] the House, Patrick Kennedy, we served together in the House for a dozen years. And we were able to do several things together there, even though we were different parties, we found a number of things to work on. This was one of the issues that we're able to work on.
Patrick, I'm glad you're here to take the responsibility of the master of ceremonies. The person who is going to be sure the panel gets a chance to express the views that this panel uniquely brings together.
As you look at who's here on this panel and the breadth of knowledge about foreign policy and the law in Iran that they bring to this discussion today, it's truly extraordinary.
I'm honored just to have been able to be part of walking over here and coming in with this group that knows so much about a topic that is going to affect America and the world and those who love Iran and have family members in Iran and understand the great heritage of Iran as many of you do so well.
Thank you are all for being here.
Patrick, I'm going to return the rest of the discussion over to you and the great panel.