The Middle East is plagued with political, ethnic and religious tensions that make the prospects for long-term peace one of the most vexing problems of modern times. It is also a region of tremendous strategic and economic importance to the United States, making achieving peace in the region an important goal for all.

It's hard to imagine a development that could be more destabilizing to the region or a greater threat to peace than if the nation of Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran's leadership has supported international terrorism, is an avowed enemy of Israel, even denying that nation's right to exist, and has brutally crushed public dissent from its own people.

And yet the world has recently learned of a secret facility the Iranian government has built to develop nucear fuel which could be used in the development of nuclear weapons. It is in violation of numerous internation agreements and sanctions.

Bearing this in mind, I was proud to stand with 413 other members of Congress in voting for the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act (H.R. 1327), which would allow U.S. state governments to divest from investments related to Iran's energy sector.  This would give states the ability to keep the funds they invest from going to companies that help to fund the Iranian regime.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- a time to raise awareness and education about breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, over 190,000 new cases are estimated this year alone and over 40,000 effected women are expected to die from the disease in 2009. This is a disease impacting every community across the country and greater awareness will help increase early diagnoses and successful recoveries.

I am an original cosponsor of the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (H.R. 1740), which would include funding for public awareness campaigns about breast cancer as well as counseling and support services to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of this important legislation.

I am proud to join in the efforts of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in encouraging everyone to increase awareness within their own communities about breast cancer.

Sincerely yours, Adam H. Putnam,
Member of Congress