pompeo followed by a session with three cohosts of today's event and international religious freedom sam brownback deputy director for the iran action group might spell and assistant secretary for democracy human rights and labor robert estero. during the listening session we have this morning we heard from members of the iranian diaspora but how we can continue to stand with the iranian people by sharing stories, supporting their voices in championing their rights. today we will share what we heard from them and we will dig deeper into the issue. we will also have an opportunity to hear from three survivors who have first-hand experience of the iranian regime oppression. i would like to introduce assistant secretary for democracy human rights and labor robert estero. as he previously served a six year term as commissioner of the u.s. commission on civil rights. he has worked on a 15 year interfaith dialogue in united states and in the middle east. he is a passion for the people of iran and defending their rights. my friend tom -- a row. [applause] >> good morning everybody and not the half of the