Ted Budd: “as we enter the holidays this year and experience the typical sights and sounds of the season--perhaps, it is the annual…”

“as we enter the holidays this year and experience the typical sights and sounds of the season--perhaps, it is the annual trip to buy a Christmas tree, perhaps in western North Carolina, if you are from the region. For some, it is the solemn lighting of each candle on the menorah. Often, it is the joyous family gathering, the giving of gifts, and the making of life-long memories. But for the 130 hostages still being held by terrorists in Gaza, the holiday season is one of pain and isolation. For their families, this holiday season is filled with pain and uncertainty. This week, I met again with both some of the families of recently released hostages and the families of those who are still being held. Their heartache is something that no person should ever have to face. The heartache is something that no person should ever have to face. When you compare the joy of the holidays with the pain of this situation, you can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of both anger and sadness, but also a sense of resolve. What if they were my loved ones? What if they were yours? Each and every one of these families deserves for their loved ones to be released immediately and unconditionally. Rest assured, all levels of the U.S. Government are working with our allies and partners to get these hostages home and to get them home safely. But until that happens, there is still something that all of us can do.…”