Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Calling for Release of Every Single Hostage Held by Hamas
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference with Members of Congress and the families of American hostages held in Gaza, organized by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). During the press conference, the Members and families called for the immediate release of hostages who have been held in Hamas captivity for 152 days:
“A poet tells us ‘send not for whom the bell tolls.’
“There are direct victims here. Those who are hostages – those who are held hostage every hour of their lives for 152 days. Held hostage by the fear and the pain and the angst and anger and the hopes and the fears of what may be happening.
“‘The bell tolls’ for everybody who honors law, freedom, justice, and humanity.
“That is for whom the bell tolls today. I am here with Ruby, Hagit, [Etty], and the other parents and loved ones of those about whom we know their names but not their status.
“And so we come here, and the television comes here, and the cameras come here to say we must not forget, and that the only objective that we have is the freedom of every one of those hostages.
“That is our objective. That is our mission. That is our moral obligation.
“Itay is not with us. A young man – a young man of idealism and commitment to country, whether it be the United States of America or Israel. So, I'm here. I represent some 775,000 people, as does every Member of Congress here. And we come here to say to you that their prayers are with you, their thoughts are with you, and we will all stand to make sure that the victory of release that we seek will be accomplished.”
