Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, this is a time of sadness, of wrenching pain, of anger, and of determination. It is my solemn duty, Mr. Speaker, to speak on this floor today about a courageous, talented, and generous young man, Itay Chen. His family is in the gallery. I had the opportunity to speak to them just a few minutes ago. As any family would be, knowing that their child is at great risk and not knowing his present welfare, they are grieving but determined. Itay is an American-Israeli dual citizen bravely serving his nation in the IDF. That is probably incorrect. This is his nation. IDF is the land of his forebears and of his ancestors and a land that offers sanctuary and safety to the Jewish people who have been savaged, hated, killed, and maligned for millennia. On October 7, Itay was taken hostage during Hamas' brutal criminal and savage attack on Israel and on innocent civilians in the land that is not contested by anybody. Itay is only 19 years old. Mr. Speaker, I have not met Itay, though I hope to do so in person in the near future. However, I met with his father, Ruby, who is with us in the gallery today, as I said, and his mother, Hagit, is joining us, as well. Mr. Speaker, everything I have heard about their son has only reinforced my resolve to help bring Itay home and the other hostages home, as well. Itay was raised in New York City, the city in which I was born, Mr. Speaker. He was always a precocious kid and a kindhearted young man.…”