Political Quotes

“I would like to recognize a tragic anniversary upon us this month. Four years ago this month, the terrorist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls in the dead of the night from a school in Chibok, Nigeria, where they were taking final exams. Some of the girls managed to run away, but Boko Haram abducted 219 girls. These hundreds of young girls were held captive, abused, made to be slaves, forced into marriage with their abductors, raped, starved, and, in some cases, forcibly converted to Islam. Some have tragically died while trying to flee or even during childbirth. You might recall the global campaign on Twitter, #BringBackOurGirls, to urge the rescue of the girls. Former First Lady Michelle Obama was moved to join the campaign for the release of the girls, as were over 3 million people around the world. I, myself, was mortified to learn that, for the mere act of seeking an education, the girls were abducted and forced into child marriage or slavery. That is why, back then in 2014, I introduced a resolution condemning the Chibok abduction and calling for the immediate, safe return of the girls. Since the kidnapping, just over 100 girls have been released, leaving over 100 girls still missing. I fear some may have already perished. Parents marked the fourth anniversary on Saturday by marching with thousands of others to the school in Chibok where the girls were abducted in 2014.…”