[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3716-S3717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE SAFE RETURN OF ELIZABETH SMART

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I express my deep-felt feelings about the 
answer to all of our prayers in Utah. There has never been a State 
where virtually everybody got on their knees and prayed for the return 
of this young woman, Elizabeth Smart.
  I have to tell you, we believe in miracles out there. We have seen 
them time after time after time. But I have to admit, most people had 
pretty much given up. They were thinking, well, that poor soul 
undoubtedly had to have been murdered. But her father and her mother 
never gave up.
  They were in my office just a short while ago saying: We are going to 
find her. We believe she is alive--praying every day, fasting for their 
daughter. People in Utah fast and pray in these situations.
  I have to tell you, I was so thrilled last night to see they finally 
found her.
  I could hardly get to sleep.
  I want to pay tribute to that wonderful family and her neighbors. 
Jake Garn and Kathleen Garn are two of the neighbors. I have to tell 
you, they both have been of tremendous help and bolsterers, as have all 
of the neighbors, to the Smart family. Jake has moved heaven and earth 
for them. He has talked to me, worked with me, worked with others. His 
wife Kathleen is as good as it gets. She is a wonderful

[[Page S3717]]

human being. I know she was over there all the time, giving solace, 
support, comfort. It is typical of these two, who served in the Senate 
with us for so many years and did such a great job, to continue to do a 
great job in our home State. That family really deserves a lot of 
credit. Not only the immediate family but the extended family exercised 
their faith and prayers on behalf of this young woman.
  I hope everything is OK with her. It is certainly OK compared to what 
she has gone through. I hope everybody who knows her and knows that 
family will lend support and solace and comfort to help them to reunite 
in every way and help this young woman to overcome the terrible 
experience she has had over the last 9 months.

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