Political Quotes

“Madam President, 2\1/2\ years ago, a native of my home State of Illinois and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Mark Frerichs, was abducted by the Taliban or one of its affiliates in Afghanistan. He was working there as a contractor, and his disappearance was devastating to his family back in Lombard, IL. Senator Duckworth and I have spent countless hours and staff hours working with his family trying to find out what happened to Mark. We spoke to his sister Charlene and repeatedly raised his case with both the Trump and Biden administrations. We wanted to let them know we cared, and we joined the family on that course. Well, today, the family's prayers have been answered. The news was released that Mark is coming home. I want to commend President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and their teams for never giving up on Mark and ultimately securing his freedom. His sister Charlene said upon news of her brother's release that ``[w]e never gave up hope that he would survive and come home safely to us.'' She was right. And Mark was so fortunate to have her as his steadfast champion. Welcome home, Mark Frerichs.”