Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, for the fastest growing group of veterans, our women, who walk into a VA facility and see the VA mission statement displayed on the wall that only refers to men who served is outrageous. That is not inclusive, and that does not reflect or recognize that we have thousands and thousands of women serving in our military. The VA is supposed to take care of all of those veterans. So I will close, Mr. Chairman, by saying that if people show you who they are, you should believe them. That is why I am opposed to this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and deeply appreciate the gentleman from New York's leadership as the senior Jewish Member of the entire House of Representatives and his decades of support and leadership on issues important to the Jewish American community. I also thank the gentleman from Ohio, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who I am glad to work with on this issue and for his assistance in bringing this important resolution to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my resolution, H. Res. 1215 to recognize Jewish American Heritage Month and highlight the longstanding contributions of the Jewish-American community to our country. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Troy Carter, Miller-Meeks, and Fitzpatrick for joining me to co-lead this resolution, as well. JAHM is an annual May celebration, a time to come together and celebrate generations of Jewish Americans who have been an integral part of the rich mosaic of people and heritages that make up the United States. While JAHM is a joyful month, we celebrated it this year under the shadow of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Since then, the United States has witnessed a historic rise in anti- Semitism. In 2023, the ADL tracked 8,873 anti-Semitic incidents across America, a 140 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number on record since it began tracking these instances of hate since 1979. According to the American Jewish Committee, nearly two-thirds of American Jews, as the chairman mentioned, feel less secure in the U.S. than they did a year ago. Make no mistake, anti-Semitism is a canary in the coal mine. According to ADL's report on Anti-Semitism and Support For Political Violence, highly anti-Semitic Americans are twice as likely to support dangerous antidemocratic conspiracies such as the great replacement theory. This was on clear display as white supremacists marched through Charlottesville chanting ``Jews will not replace us.'' Such hate must be answered. We must do more to show our support and uplift the Jewish American community. In President Biden's national strategy to counter anti-Semitism, the U.S.'s first-ever blueprint, calls on all aspects of society to commemorate JAHM and use it as a tool to fight hate. We need Jews and non-Jews alike to learn about all of the remarkable Jewish Americans who served in government, the military, or who won Nobel Prizes, led universities, and made lifesaving medical discoveries that we all count on today. The fact that so many significant contributions to America's success were led by Jewish Americans is not widely known. Today's resolution highlights just a fraction of the Jewish Americans who made our Nation and the world better. Jonas Salk was a virologist who developed the polio vaccine. Florence Prag Kahn, a Republican, was the first Jewish woman Member of Congress and first woman to serve on the House Military Affairs Committee. I ask my colleagues to just walk down the stairs and you will see her portrait hanging on the way down the steps to commemorate the significance of her service. Jack Greenberg argued against segregation in Brown v. Board of Education as co-counsel to Thurgood Marshall and succeeded Marshall as director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Jewish community's commitment to tikkun olam, a commitment to repair the world, is clear across so many generations of Americans. As we celebrated the end of the 19th year of Jewish American Heritage Month just a few days ago, it is clear that each year JAHM becomes bigger and better than the year before, and the need to make sure that we can shine a spotlight on the contributions that American Jews have made to the success of America is even more critical given the precipitous rise in anti-Semitism. This annual blaze of education and understanding will surely eclipse enmity and intolerance. Madam Speaker, I thank all for helping me shine that light, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution. I look forward to continuing to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month for many years to come.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill, which, despite what the authors claim, threatens to defund our national security and torch the indispensable U.S.-Israel relationship, and it is all being done to score cheap political points. By now we are accustomed to Republicans bringing up nonsensical messaging bills to distract from the fact that they blocked vital aid to Israel for 6 months. Last week, I spoke out against the delayed weapons shipment and urged the U.S. and Israel to resolve disagreements privately to maintain the united front against Hamas. The White House and Israel are now clear that those weapons are not needed for the Rafah operation. Just this week, the Biden administration finalized more than a billion dollars in assistance to Israel. Instead of coming together to show bipartisan support for Israel's defense, Republicans return to their political playbook, cynically exploiting Israel as a political wedge issue. However, this isn't another nonbinding resolution. This dangerous, cynical bill is not pro-America or pro-Israel. The bill before us threatens to block funds to our military, the same Armed Forces which defended Israel against an Iranian missile onslaught. This bill also imperils our diplomats who work nonstop to get hostages released. Undercutting American security undercuts Israel's security. A plan to defund U.S. national security agencies that send assistance, share intelligence, and help defeat Hamas is exactly how you cut off your nose to spite your face. October 7 made clear that Israel's needs can evolve overnight. I won't abide by Republicans holding our national security hostage so they can micromanage our Commander in Chief and feign how pro-Israel and pro-military they are. If you don't like the President holding up one limited shipment for a week, and I don't, you should be livid about Speaker Johnson holding up all military aid for 6 months. I won't allow shortsighted, partisan stunts to masquerade as bipartisan support for Israel. Republicans need to stop the games. Israel needs real, consistent support, not Republican users who have repeatedly made it clear that Israel cannot count on them.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is incomprehensible that the Israeli hostages captured on Simchat Torah are still in Hamas' captivity as we approach Passover. I rise to finally provide long overdue aid to our ally Israel as she fights to defend herself against threats on multiple fronts. On October 7, Hamas launched a massacre that led to the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas murdered, raped, and captured Israelis, Americans, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and people from dozens of countries. Hamas broke a cease-fire and declared war on humanity. Since that bloody day, Hamas terrorists have promised to carry out the attack again and again. I recently visited Israel for the third time since October 7. I saw the realities of Hamas' dedication to annihilate Israel. I will never be able to unsee the images at the Nova Festival site where Hamas massacred hundreds of young people. The road leading toward the site is littered with burn marks where cars with people fleeing for their lives were burned alive on the spot. You walk into the festival site and see hundreds of memorials to the innocent victims who were murdered in cold blood. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, we saw homes riddled with bullet holes and burned to the ground with people still in them. This is what Israel is up against. This is what Israel must defend against, maniacal terrorism dedicated to the destruction of not just the State of Israel but of all Jews. Israel fights not only to destroy Hamas' Iran-backed military capabilities but to send a clear message to our adversaries who seek to erase the Jewish state: You will not be successful. President Biden, Leader Jeffries, and Democrats have fought for months to send this critical security assistance, as well as lifesaving humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people, who are also victims of Hamas. A vote against this bill is a vote to deny that aid. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this vital effort to help Israel in this existential battle and aid civilians, and I urge my colleagues to join me to free Gaza from Hamas. ``The people of Israel live.'' ``Am Yisrael Chai.''

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, last night the Sunshine State lost a brilliant statesman who loved Florida and all of her people. With the sad passing of our beloved Bob Graham, our entire Nation lost a proud world citizen, a dedicated American patriot, and a devout public servant. A true son of Florida, Graham rose to serve in our Governor's mansion and three terms as a United States Senator. Despite that august resume, Bob Graham was, at heart, a man of the very people he represented. In his first campaign for Governor, Graham pledged to put in 8-hour days working the same tough but rewarding work that Floridians do every day to make our State so strong. He paved roads, delivered luggage in hotels, taught school, and picked tomatoes. True to his word, Graham completed over 400 of these workdays so he could touch, see, and feel the challenges and triumphs of the neighbors he so proudly represented. As Governor, he led our most ambitious program ever to boost education, notably improving our State universities. Like me, he was a proud University of Florida Gator. Today, Bob Graham can look down with pride on his alma mater and the university system that he helped ensure rivals the best in the Nation. His love and dedication to education was passed on to so many in our State and, thankfully, to his own daughter, Gwen. Fittingly, Gwen Graham, our former congressional colleague, now serves in the U.S. Department of Education. Perhaps his most visionary achievement in Florida will be his ambitious environmental protection agenda. His Florida programs are still being carried forward to this day, including his work to save the Everglades. This issue, like so many, demonstrated his skills to build consensus across the political spectrum, and that bipartisan spirit still guides Florida's diverse delegation. As a foreign affairs expert, Senator Graham stood out as a brilliant master of statecraft. As chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, he understood all too well the very real global threats we face as a Nation. He never shrunk from asking the tough questions, even as America reeled from the September 11 attacks. He bore a heavy weight to demand accountability for this tragedy, yet this man who epitomized what we all think of as an elder statesman was a far more complex figure than that. When the Tallahassee press corps did their annual roast of State leaders, there was Governor Graham helping them turn the spit, even if it meant poking fun at himself. When a constituent flagged a problem or a task he needed to circle back on, he would scribble it in his notepad, just like his dad did. His love of family is something every one of his children and grandchildren will testify to as they all loved their ``Doodle,'' as he was affectionately called. Even in his ``retirement'' from government, he established the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. To the very end, he nurtured in others the noble custom he perfected of serving that very community that he served so well. There are no words to express my gratitude and respect for Senator Graham, and it is evidenced by our entire delegation being here today to honor him. We will all miss him dearly. Today, we keep his entire family and all those who loved him in our thoughts, including his wife, Adele Khoury Graham; his four daughters, Gwen--our former colleague--Cissy, Suzanne, and Kendall; all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his former staff; and all those across the country who knew and loved him. May his memory be a blessing. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all those present in the Chamber and in the gallery, as well as all staff members and visitors throughout the Capitol complex, rise for a moment of silence in honor of our former colleague and friend, Senator Bob Graham.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership in calling all of us together in support of bringing all of our hostages home. I am reminding the world that Hamas still has American hostages in its grip. We are joined tonight in the gallery by several of their family members who have spent every night for over half a year praying, mourning, hoping beyond hope for their loved ones' safe return. Our number one job as elected officials is providing for the safety, security, and integrity of the American people. We cannot rest while a terrorist group that has murdered Americans continues to hold Americans hostage. Nothing is more critical than what President Biden and his administration are doing every day. He is fighting tirelessly to bring Americans and the rest of the hostages home right now through a temporary cease-fire agreement. It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to reject a hostage deal and hold over 130 hostages in Gaza. It is despicable that these sick, violent fiends refuse to allow the hostages to be reunited with their families and cling like vultures to the remains of innocent civilians they have tortured, starved, and murdered in order to use them as political leverage. Our message to these families, our regional partners, and the American people is consistent and clear. Hamas must not succeed. The hostages must come home. I joined my colleague from Illinois 2 weeks ago, and we both led side-by-side congressional delegations, I for women Members of Congress, where we met with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who we have met with numerous times, and many of the family members that are here tonight. Rachel and Jon are here tonight as well, and their strength and commitment alongside all of the American families to be reunited with their loved ones is inspiring. The love of a parent knows no bounds. Once the hostages are released, we look forward to welcoming you all back to this Chamber in celebration of your families being made whole again. Please know that I, personally and on behalf of my constituents, carry all of your loved ones in my heart each and every day. I am proud President Biden and Vice President Harris have stood by Israel's side all of this time, defending the American and Israeli people and using leverage to push our allies and partners to get a deal done. There has been a deal on the table, and that continues to be negotiated today, spearheaded by President Biden, backed by Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, that will get hostages home, aid into Gaza, and a pause in the fighting. Hamas can end all the pain in hearts right here around us and in that region. If they had any interest in safeguarding Palestinians, this could all be over right now. Egypt, Qatar, and leaders with leverage must insist that Hamas accepts this deal. Anyone who wants to see a temporary cease-fire, the release of hostages, and a just and lasting peace must demand it of Hamas. It has been 186 days. Our fellow Americans must come home now. Those who have been lost must be brought home and laid to rest. Until that day, we will continue to stand together, arm in arm with these families and with our ally, Israel.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I recognize the remarkable life of George William Young. Mr. Young was third generation native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. George was the second baby born at the then newly completed Broward General Hospital in 1938. He attended Broward County public schools and graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School, and he was raised in a family with a long history of community service. His mother, Virginia S. Young, served on the School Board and was Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. His father, George F. Young, was a general contractor, as was his grandfather George Waugh Young. His grandfather established George Young Construction in 1911 and built many structures in Fort Lauderdale, including the Riverside Hotel and First United Methodist Church. George was a man with many talents, but education was his calling. In 1969, he became Vice President of Student Affairs at Broward College, a position to which he would dedicate the next 30 years of his career. During his tenure, he developed student affairs divisions on four campuses, watching enrollment grow from 3,000 to 6,000 students. He believed everyone was entitled to a college education and devoted his career to mentoring those who might not otherwise have had the means to attend college. After retirement, George applied the building skills his father and grandfather had imparted upon him, building his own home on Lower Matecumbe in the Florida Keys. He enjoyed his retirement there and in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he spent many vacations visiting his grandparents as a child. His greatest joy, however, came as a grandfather to his three grandchildren. He spent countless hours and time helping to mentor his three grandchildren into thoughtful and community-minded human beings. He passed down many of his virtues and passions to them, including a love of history, Lionel train collecting, and fishing. His collection of vintage Lionel trains is one of the largest in the country, the result of a passion he developed as a teenager while employed as the Lionel train repairman at Hobby House in downtown Fort Lauderdale. My heart is with George's family, friends, and colleagues, but his loss will be felt by our entire community. His humility and kindness touched everyone who knew him.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. As the MILCON-VA subcommittee ranking member, I support this minibus not only because we blocked nearly all poison pill policy riders but also because it includes major Democratic priorities. We restored military construction funding to $2 billion above the budget request, dedicated resiliency and PFAS remediation funding, and boosted DOD housing oversight. We held strong on our commitment to veterans by providing $121 billion for VA medical care, increased and protected funding for gender-specific care for women, and blocked Republican attempts to further restrict women's abortion access and counseling. I am so pleased my friend, Chairman Carter, and I joined forces to end harmful VA research on dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates within 2 years. President Biden and Congress built a minibus that lowers costs, creates jobs, funds food and housing lifelines, and fortifies America's energy independence with cutting-edge climate research. In other parts of this bill, I am proud we fully fund Everglades restoration at the President's budget request of $415 million. President Biden has delivered time and time again for Florida's environment and Everglades restoration specifically. This funding allows restoration projects like the EAA Reservoir to continue to move forward so that we can save America's Everglades. Finally, these bills provide millions of dollars for community project funding back home. I secured more than $15 million in local projects headed toward Broward County, and communities across America will see similar assistance. In my community, that means funding to house veterans and help raise local streets in Hollywood to mitigate climate change. It means vital help for law enforcement to conduct more detailed investigations of human trafficking cases. I was able to secure support for local reef preservation; genetic disease research; water, sewer, and drainage upgrades; as well as help to fix nagging local infrastructure repairs that my constituents navigate every day. Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this minibus.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is in the spirit of bereavement that I rise to recognize the remarkable life of former Florida State Senator Betty Holzendorf. As a dedicated public servant, community leader, and advocate for social justice, her impact on the city of Jacksonville and the great State of Florida and its people will be felt for generations to come. Senator Holzendorf passed away on February 29, 2024 at the age of 84. As a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Senator Holzendorf dedicated her life to the betterment of her community. She received her bachelor's degree from Edward Waters University and her master's in educational administration from the University of North Florida, the latter of which has a road named after her on campus. As a former public school teacher and administrator at her alma mater, Edward Waters University, she was committed to quality education and began her career in public service in 1975 as an affirmative action officer under Jacksonville Mayor Hans Tanzler. Following several years of service in this role, she joined the staff of Jacksonville Mayor Jake Godbold as City Council liaison, where she developed the political skills that would catapult her into the Florida House of Representatives in 1988. Throughout her esteemed career, Senator Holzendorf championed causes that uplifted the most vulnerable members of her community. Whether it was fighting for affordable housing, advocating for quality education, or promoting access to healthcare, she never wavered in her dedication to improving the lives of her constituents, especially children. Senator Holzendorf's passion for justice and equality was matched only by her unwavering determination to create positive change. After four years in the Florida House, she served with distinction in the Florida State Senate from 1992 to 2002, where her leadership earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Senator Holzendorf was a pillar of her community, known for her kindness, compassion, and incredible cooking. Her impact extended far beyond the boundaries of Tallahassee and Jacksonville, truly touching the lives of countless individuals throughout Florida. My heart is with Senator Holzendorf's family during this time of mourning. May they find solace in knowing that her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing her, and may her memory be for a blessing.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Israel's absolute right to exist, to defend itself, and to bring home its citizens--and ours--who are still held captive after 122 days. Over those 122 days, President Biden has firmly backed Israel's response to genocidal Hamas terror. He helped free over 100 hostages and continues working tirelessly to bring them all home. He has forcefully countered malign forces who attack our troops and oppose any future peace. Meanwhile, for 122 days, Republicans have ignored President Biden's urgent request: Safeguard our democracy and our allies from adversaries who seek chaos, death, and destruction. This abdication of responsibility fails our constituents, our allies, and our national security interests. After months of waiting, I won't hesitate to vote for Israel's defense in this moment of crisis. I am enraged that Republicans are playing political games, caving to Trump and the extreme fringe of their party at the expense of our most sacred national obligations. They cynically pound the table about Iran, but they are suddenly blind to Putin's wrath in Ukraine and deaf to Xi's threats against Taiwan. They callously disregard the humanitarian tragedy facing Gazans, who are also victims of Hamas, eroding our credibility and undermining future prospects for a just and lasting peace. I am appalled that after 3,300 anti-Semitic attacks in this country in just 3 months, they will pass a dozen nonbinding resolutions only to turn around and defund basic protections for Jewish Americans. We could have passed the President's emergency request months ago in a massive bipartisan show of strength. Instead, Republicans are needlessly weaponizing these vital efforts to score cheap political points. It took far too long to get here. Yet, this bill still falls short of our needs. As a Jew and proud Zionist, my conscience demands that I vote with Israel in her hour of need in this moment of crisis. I won't pretend this bill comes close to meeting our security needs.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride that I rise to recognize my longtime friend, Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis. Mayor Ortis has been a resident of Pembroke Pines since 1977 and has a long history of service to our community. He was elected to the Pembroke Pines City Commission in 1996 and elected as its mayor in 2004, serving in that position for the last 20 years. His ties run deep, as he has served and serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Broward and Florida League of Cities; chairman of the United States Conference of Mayors Committee on Jobs, Education, and the Workforce; the United States Conference of Mayors vice chair for Sports and Recreation, Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports; and the Broward County Workforce One Development Board. A graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Mayor Ortis also served as president of the Florida State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and as president of the Broward County AFL-CIO. His work to improve the lives of working families made transformative impacts throughout the Sunshine State. As a devoted public servant for more than 27 years, Mayor Ortis helped transform the city of Pembroke Pines into a world-class city to live, work, and visit. His leadership expanded the city's arts and culture footprint, its outstanding schools, and the recreational offerings it provides to residents of all ages. Under his leadership, Pembroke Pines was designated as an All-America City, which recognizes communities that ``leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to successfully address local issues.'' That is a very apt description for the imprint Mayor Ortis has and continues to make. Mayor Frank Ortis leads with his heart, and, on behalf of the people of Florida's 25th Congressional District, we are grateful for his leadership and wish him well on his retirement from public service. I will miss him. I will miss working alongside him, but our loss is his family's gain. I wish Frank a hearty congratulations on his retirement and am grateful for his invaluable work for the residents of Pembroke Pines, Broward County, and the State of Florida.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her powerful words and for her leadership as the co-chair of the bipartisan task force to combat anti-Semitism in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey) who is a member of the Black-Jewish Caucus in Congress and a leader in the Fort Worth area in his district in bringing the Black and Jewish communities together.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership in highlighting these two young women, especially given her role as the chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), the distinguished member of the Ways and Means and Foreign Affairs Committees, and a leader in the Jewish community in his home district.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lead my colleagues in a Special Order hour. Tonight, I am honored to be joined by my colleagues to continue to shed light and bring broader awareness to the ongoing hostage crisis that plagues the Israeli and Jewish communities around the world. On October 7, Hamas launched a horrific attack against Israeli civilians, resulting in the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Recently, we marked 100 days since Hamas' gruesome attack. That is more than 100 days of inconceivable suffering for families who had their loved ones ripped away from them; more than 100 days consumed by nonstop panic, dread, and uncertainty. The pain, shock, and anger burning in the hearts of the Jewish people will never dull. I know my own heart has felt like it was encased in lead ever since that fateful day, but it couldn't compare to the anguish and heartbreak of the families whose loved ones are still held captive by terrorists. The last time my colleagues and I came together like this to highlight the hostages Hamas continues to cruelly hold hostage in Gaza, I fervently hoped the new year's arrival would make this advocacy no longer necessary. Our work, advocacy, and pressure has been relentless that Hamas release the hostages and bring theirs and their families' nightmare to an end. Tragically, however, the nightmare continues. It is sadly fitting that, since marking 100 days since October 7, we also commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jewish communities around the world gathered to honor the memory of the 6 million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust and the countless millions of others who perished at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators. We look back because we can never forget, Mr. Speaker. We cannot avert our eyes from the horror that humanity is capable of inflicting. We look back not only to memorialize the victims, but to learn from the darkness of the past. We also look back to not allow humanity to move forward without addressing the root causes that led to the horrific persecution of the Jewish people, which is the main reason we are here tonight--to dissuade those who forget or avert their eyes from the horrors that Hamas unleashed. I recently returned to Israel and the region with our bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation that was in the region on October 7, with the sole purpose of galvanizing the multinational efforts to secure the release of each and every last hostage. In Israel, we met with families who are desperate for any shred of information which might result in their loved ones' release. We visited the kibbutz, Nir Oz, and saw the devastation Hamas wrought. We saw the remains of house after house that Hamas set on fire with the sole purpose of murdering the families inside. I saw firsthand Hamas' maniacal dedication to the destruction and eradication of Israel and the Jewish people. My message is clear. We will not let Hamas succeed. The United States will continue to stand with Israel, and the Jewish people will live on as we have in the face of oppression and tyranny for millennia. Tonight, my colleagues and I will speak about those who remain held captive in Gaza, show their beautiful faces, and remind all of us not to forget these victims who are still suffering under terrorist cruelty. During our last Special Order, I had the honor to speak about the Bibas family: Parents Shiri and Yarden and their boys, Ariel and Kfir. At 9 months old, Kfir was the youngest hostage taken. On January 18, Kfir turned 1. If Hamas never attacked Israel and never kidnapped women and children, he would have celebrated his first birthday with his family in his community. Instead, his family is left reeling, not knowing. This cruelty is unimaginable. The Bibas family and sweet Kfir remain in my heart. Tonight, I will be honoring Agam Berger, who was taken captive on October 7 shortly after calling her father telling him she heard shots fired. I had the opportunity to meet her father, Shlomi, recently. Seeing the pain in his eyes was unbearable. I can tell in speaking with Shlomi that Agam comes from a very tight-knit family. She has three siblings, including her twin sister. Mr. Speaker, as the mother of twins, I imagined the panic I would feel and, as a Jewish mother of three young adult children, I saw my own children when listening to his story. Agam is a selfless young woman, volunteering with adults and children who have special needs and learning disabilities. She is the courageous young woman we all hope our children will grow up to be. Her family and friends proudly speak about her extraordinary musical talent. You can see her here with her violin. Agam played the violin since she was in the fourth grade. Mr. Speaker, the next time I am in Israel, I look forward to hearing Agam play her violin and listening to her immense talent, which her father played for us by video. I want Shlomi and Agam's whole family to know that this Chamber stands with them, and we will continue to fight for Agam's release. Mr. Speaker, I am joined by a number of Members tonight who all want to stand in solidarity with Israel and press for the release of the hostages. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Landsman).

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his relentless support and advocacy for the release of the hostages and his support for Israel. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), our former majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Hoyer has been a stalwart supporter of the State of Israel for his entire tenure in the United States Congress.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his stalwart leadership and support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) who is also the co-chair of the American Hostage Task Force.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her incredible support, leadership, advocacy, and poignancy in which she has been a supporter of the State of Israel in her hour of need. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), who is the fellow co-chair of the bipartisan Latino-Jewish Caucus.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York--where I am originally from--for his incredible leadership and work to bring the Hispanic and Jewish communities together so that we can continue to fight oppression against both of our communities. Mr. Speaker, yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning). She is someone who has become a dear friend of mine. She sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee and has been a national Jewish community leader.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his compassion and his leadership, and for helping us to keep the plight of these hostages in the public eye. As a mother of 24-year-old twins, I know exactly what he means in the way he described that. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), who has been a mentor and friend of mine for literally my entire adult life.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his relentless advocacy and for his partnership in continuing to help make sure we can keep a spotlight on the plight of these hostages who have been kept in captivity for 115 days now. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier), a dear friend and the first pediatrician ever elected to the United States Congress.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership and appreciate her participation tonight in continuing to shine a spotlight on the captivity of the hostages. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), a dear friend who has also been relentless in continuing our efforts to make sure that we can apply the pressure necessary to bring the hostages home.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Cohen particularly for highlighting the abomination of an idea that a terrorist entity should be allowed to live on the precipice of a nation and remain a threat, as Hamas continues to do. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman), a new Member who has been a stalwart leader ever since October 7 and beyond, and we appreciate his participation tonight.