On the recordJuly 12, 2017
Mr. Chair, I rise in support of a very important part of this en bloc proposal, which is filled with important parts. Dr. Afridi is a Pakistani doctor who risked his life to help our special forces identify the hiding place of Osama bin Laden, the planner and commander of the slaughter of 3,000 Americans on 9/11. Dr. Afridi, clearly an American hero, has languished in a Pakistani dungeon for the past 6 years and has been sentenced to spend another two decades in captivity. Dr. Afridi is a courageous hero. He is not forgotten. His plight is not ignored. Tonight, I am pleading that this language be retained in the final version of this en bloc amendment. This man is suffering for us. Making my amendment in order acknowledges Dr. Afridi's sacrifice and demands Pakistani authorities release him immediately. If we turn our backs on such a noble friend as Dr. Afridi, shame on us. And I thank the Members who put this bill together for including this very moral statement.
