Rick Perry - Iran
Summary
In 2007, Governor Perry asked the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to divest all investments from companies doing business with Iran. He stated that the reason for the move was in response to Iran's support for those seeking to harm our men and women in uniform.
That same month, Governor Perry stated during a speech that the US cannot turn a blind eye to the agenda of a terrorist state like Iran and their ongoing investment in acts of terror. He stated that Iran is an epicenter for terrorist activity, provides a safe haven, training and equipment to al-Qaeda, and Iran's leaders provide aid and arms to terrorist insurgents fighting American troops in Iraq.
Divestment from Iran
In September of 2007, Governor Perry issued a press statement noting that he was asking the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to divest all investments from companies doing business with Iran.
Gov. Perry: TRS, ERS Should Divest Funds from Companies with Ties to Iran
Announces Establishment of Texas-Israel Chamber of CommerceTuesday, September 25, 2007 • Press Release
DALLAS - Today at an event announcing the establishment of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Gov. Rick Perry said he is asking the Employees Retirement System (ERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to divest all investments from companies doing business with Iran.
“The example we set in Texas can have international ramifications. Today I am asking the Employees Retirement System and the Teacher Retirement System, as the keepers of the state’s multibillion dollar investment funds, to divest their respective interests from all companies doing business with Iran,” Perry said. “While Texas cannot set its own foreign policy, we can send a strong message that Texans will not condone Iran’s continued support of those seeking to do harm to our men and women in uniform.”
Approximately 400 internationally-traded companies have ties to Iran.
In addition to Iran’s role in terrorist activities, Gov. Perry expressed concerns about that nation’s aggressive posture toward Israel. The Governor has long supported an American foreign policy that recognizes the right of a Jewish state to exist in the Middle East, one that consistently advocates for the protection and preservation of democratic states in that part of the world, including Israel.
During a recent visit to Israel, the Governor and First Lady met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and former Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres, an event that set in motion the establishment of the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
“I want Texas to become the preferred location for Israeli companies doing business in the U.S.,” Perry said. “Like Texas, Israel has a long history of growing new technology companies through partnerships that include universities, government and private investors and entrepreneurs. Strengthening relationships between these two ‘Lone Star States’ will benefit our respective economies and increase understanding.”
Texas is Israel’s third largest American trading partner. Israel’s dedication to fostering new technology has made it second only to the U.S. in the number of start-up companies worldwide.
The commercial relationship between Texas and Israel began with agriculture and natural resources and has in recent years grown to include virtually all other major business sectors, including information technology, medical technologies, aerospace and defense, homeland security and energy.
The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce serves to bring companies and industries together and to bridge the geographic and cultural barriers to benefit businesses in Texas and Israel. Through the chamber, Texas-based member companies will gain access to not only the Israeli market, but also indirectly to other international markets such as European Union countries through trade with Israel.
Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce
In September of 2007, Governor Perry issued a press statement noting a speech he made to the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce. He spoke about the threat Iran was to Israel.
Gov. Rick Perry's Remarks to the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce
* Note: Gov. Perry frequently departs from prepared remarks.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 • SpeechThank you, Senator Shapiro, for that gracious introduction. It is a pleasure to be here in Dallas today to celebrate the next step in the relationship between a great state and a great country. I have the highest hopes for the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce. I believe Texans share a special kinship with the Israeli people. We are both independent-minded and self-reliant, and our history is grounded in strong stands against impossible odds.
My first impressions of Israel came from the Old Testament. In the Sunday school lessons and sermons taught in my little hometown church, I learned the history of struggle in the Holy Land. Visionary leaders like David, Abraham and Moses inspire me to this day. When I was elected our state’s Agriculture Commissioner, I began working directly with Israeli businesses through the “Texas Israel Exchange” program. We worked hard to build bridges through joint technology research in the areas of agriculture and natural resources. When I made my first visit to the Holy Land in 1993, I was honored to walk in the footsteps of Biblical heroes and meet their descendants face-to-face. Struck by the rapid pace of economic development, I was glad we could work together for the mutual benefit of our states. The commercial relationship between Texas and Israel has grown to include virtually all other major business sectors, including information technology, medical technologies, aerospace and defense, homeland security and energy. Many of these companies grew to maturity as a result of Israel’s vibrant business climate.
Of special interest are your innovative partnerships between universities and entrepreneurs, funded by investment from the public and private sectors. Texas also is making great strides in this area, thanks to our Emerging Technology Fund. Since its creation in 2005, we have invested $95 million in young start-up companies and to bring world-renowned experts to our institutions of higher learning. With it, we are investing in great ideas and the people who have them. I hope that ideas incubating in small Texas companies today will someday become products sold in Israel, through relationships forged in this new Chamber of Commerce.
If you were to ask me my goals for this new undertaking, I would challenge the members of the Texas / Israel Chamber of Commerce to pursue these key objectives. First, I want Texas to become the preferred location for Israeli companies doing business in the U.S. Our business-friendly climate, talented work force and strong education system provide the ideal incentive for relocation, investment or startup operations. Second, we would like commerce to flow in the other direction as well, with more Texas companies, regardless of their size, establishing a presence in Israel. Trade is about mutual benefit and that is not just possible, but a necessity here. Thirdly, I would like to continue efforts to connect the massive brainpower of our respective universities by building bridges of communication with academic partnerships, collaboration on research projects, and increased joint study programs between our institutions of higher learning.
Although we desire economic profit in our business relationships, we must also partner in our defense of basic human dignity. So, we share the commitment to making our citizens safe in their homes, their workplace, and their places of worship. We share a commitment to self governance and equal rights for all of our law abiding citizens. We should cherish the lessons of our respective histories while building a better future for our citizens. Expanding our commercial relationships will foster these shared interests, leading to increased economic strength that can yield even greater freedom.
I want everyone here to know that Texas deeply appreciates the threats to Israel’s safety and freedom. On a June trip to Israel, I had the honor of listening to Natan Sharansky as he told a group of Israeli, American and European visitors about his eight years in a Siberian gulag. He is clearly a man who understands oppression and truly cherishes freedom. I was struck by the similarities in the challenges facing our respective states, including our shared concerns about border security. However, the threats to Israel’s sovereignty and safety are much more vicious and constant than anything we’ve ever experienced here in Texas. I have long supported an American foreign policy that recognizes the right of a Jewish state to exist in the Middle East. That policy must aggressively advocate for the protection and preservation of democratic states in that part of the world, including Israel.
While peace in the Middle East is our ultimate goal, it cannot happen when major political factions refuse to recognize the Jewish state. We cannot turn a blind eye to the agenda of a terrorist state like Iran and their ongoing investment in acts of terror. As was recently confirmed by the director of national intelligence, Iran is an epicenter for terrorist activity, having provided a safe haven, training and equipment to al-Qaeda. Their leaders are also providing aid and arms to terrorist insurgents fighting American troops in Iraq. It is clear that Iran has every intention of continuing its aggressive behavior toward the United States and its allies, including Israel.
This is why I have repeatedly expressed my support for Texas divestment from companies that do business with Iran. Let me be very clear on this: I personally believe that any company that does business with Iran is actively assisting those who seek to harm American men and women who are serving in the Middle East and funds terror attacks on our allies in the region. Therefore, I am announcing that I have asked our state’s two largest investment funds to divest from all companies who do business with Iran. In a letter I have sent to the directors of the Teacher’s Retirement System and the Employee Retirement System, which together invest over $130 billion dollars, I asked them to formulate a plan for prudent divestment and present it to me within 30 days. I have also conveyed my concerns to my fellow governors, asking them to consider a similar approach in their states. And, I intend to work with the legislature to pass an Iran Divestment act during the next legislative session as Florida and California have recently done. The combined economies of just these three states constitute 26% of our country’s Gross Domestic Product. If these three states were their own country, it would have the 3rd largest economy in the world – larger than Germany and China. That kind of economic power can not be ignored.
I do want to take a moment to commend Texas Senator Dan Patrick who championed this very issue in the past legislative session and was denied in his efforts. I hope you will help carry this legislation to passage in 2009. I know there will be critics of my directive who will contend that Texas’ investment portfolios will not perform as well. I refuse to accept the premise, however, that the only way to make money is by investing in terrorism. Our push for divestment can bring about positive change, much as it did on the issue of apartheid twenty years ago. As you recall, dozens of cities, states, universities, pension funds and portfolio managers pressed American companies to divest from South Africa in the 1980s. The resulting revolution has made South Africa a member of the international community with whom Texas is now proud to have many valuable economic ties.
Approximately 400 internationally traded companies have ties with Iran. I believe these companies have deliberately turned a blind eye to Iran’s dangerous policies in exchange for profits, and Texas will no longer condone such action. Ignoring the threat that Iran poses to American armed forces overseas and our allies will not make it go away. Instead, people of conscience and conviction must stand on principle and advocate for necessary change.
And so, today, as we usher in a new era of relations between Texas and Israel, we speak of a grand vision of a world where terror is defeated by kinship, economic partnerships create new opportunity, and people are free to work and live in peace. I am confident that this new Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce will be a stepping stone on that path. It is an honor and privilege to present this proclamation, marking the next step in the relationship between our two states.
CBS Foreign Policy Debate
On November 12, 2011 Governor Perry participated in the CBS foreign policy debate. He stated there that he would support a sanction of the Iranian banking system.
Scott Pelley: Thank you, Congressman. Governor Perry, what's your appraisal of the combat situation on the ground in Afghanistan today and what would you change?
Rick Perry: Let me answer-- the previous question very quickly for-- if I-- if I may.
Scott Pelley: Governor, I'd like to move on, could you give us a sense of your --of your appraisal of the combat situation?
Rick Perry: --I have a minute. And I can do both in one minute, I'll promise you.
Scott Pelley: There-- there you go.
Rick Perry: And the issue that has not been raised is that this country can sanction the Iranian Central Bank right now and shut down that country's economy. And that's what this president needs to do and the American people need to stand up and force him to make that stand today. Now let me address this issue of Afghanistan and how we deal with it. The mission must be completed there. The idea that we will have wasted our treasure and the lives of young Americans to not secure Afghanistan is not appropriate.
But the idea that we would give a timetable to our enemy is irresponsible from a military standpoint, it's irresponsible from the lives of our young men and women. And it is irresponsible leadership of this president to give a timetable to pull out of any country that we're in conflict with.
Scott Pelley: But Governor, if I can just follow up for 30 seconds. The question was, "What's your appraisal of the combat situation on the ground there, and what would you change as commander in chief?"
Rick Perry: Well, obviously, we're discussing with our commanders on the field-- about what's going on in-- Afghanistan. I think we're makin' progress there. The issue is training up the Afghan security forces so that we're comfortable that they can-- protect that citizenry and continue to take the war to the terrorists that are using Afghanistan and Pakistan, I might add. It is a very complex part of the world. But I think that our military is doin' the best job that they can-- considering-- the lack of support that they're getting from this administration-- telegraphing to the enemy when we're gonna pull out.
CNN National Security Debate
On November 22, 2011 Governor Perry participated in a debate on CNN focusing on national security. When asked about Iran, Governor Perry supported sanctioning their national bank.
BLITZER: Let's go to Governor Perry. What do you think?
PERRY: Absolutely. We need to sanction the Iranian Central Bank. That would be one of the most powerful ways to impact that. As a matter of fact, Congressman Paul, that is what we need to do before we ever start having any conversations about a military strike, is to use every sanction that we have. And when you sanction the Iranian Central Bank, that will shut down that economy. At that particular point in time, they truly have to deal with the United States. And it's one of the reasons that I call for the -- there is an area over there, of all of them working together -- and I'm talking about Syria -- and bringing them into the mix as well.
As I called for, one of the options is to have a no-fly zone over Syria at the same time you're putting those types of sanctions against Iran. And in that moment, they will understand that America is serious. This President refuses to do that, and it's another show of lack of leadership from the President of the United States.