Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the approaching, somber, first anniversary of Hamas' horrific attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This past year, we have experienced continued heartbreak and mourning with fresh pain rearing its ugly head each time we learn the tragic fate of hostages who were captured that fateful day and subsequently murdered by their captors. Just a few weeks ago, on the eve of a rescue operation, Hamas executed six hostages in cold blood, including an American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. It was a gut punch. After surviving absolutely horrific conditions for nearly a year, they were brutally murdered by Hamas in the tunnels below Gaza all because their rescue was imminent and because of Hamas' hatred of Jews and their commitment to destroy Israel. As a Jewish mother of three, meeting with so many parents of the hostages, including Hersh's parents, Rachel and Jon, has felt deeply personal. Their fortitude and strength in advocating for the return of their children is nothing less than heroic. I have met with Rachel and Jon countless times this past year, and something that always sticks with me is when Rachel shared her last embrace with Hersh before he left for the Nova music festival for his 23rd birthday. No mother should ever have to think that when they kiss their child good-bye before a concert, it will be for the last time because they will be murdered by terrorists.…”