Frederica Wilson: “Thank you, Congressman Engel. I would like to thank the leadership of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the original…”

“Thank you, Congressman Engel. I would like to thank the leadership of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the original cosponsors of this bipartisan legislation, Congressman Engel, Congressman Royce, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Smith, Congresswoman Bass, and the support of Leader Pelosi. {time} 1900 I stand here today on the House floor demanding that we ``bring back our girls.'' I am outraged and heartbroken over the kidnapping of hundreds of female students in Nigeria by the terrorist group Boko Haram. These girls have now been away from their home for more than a month. I cannot even begin to imagine what this is like for these girls, for their mothers, their fathers, their brothers, their entire village. We must end this nightmare. The abduction of these girls was committed to keep them from getting an education. The girls knew the dangers they might encounter. Their school had previously been closed due to terrorist attacks, but they went to school anyway. They went because they were determined to get an education, determined to build a better life for themselves and for their families. Women and girls have the right to go to school without fear of violence and unjust treatment. I believe that we must do everything in our power, Mr. Speaker, to ensure the safe return of these precious young girls. That is why I introduced H. Res.…”