[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF KAYLA MUELLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2019

  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize Kayla 
Mueller, a courageous, selfless individual who died at the hands of the 
ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Just recently, the United States 
government conducted a secret mission that led to the ISIS leader's 
demise. Fittingly, the mission was named after Kayla to let the world 
know, she did not die in vain.
  Kayla was a brave missionary and activist hailing from my district, 
specifically Prescott, Arizona. She was dedicated to serving others 
through her humanitarian work, regardless of the danger. Her 
humanitarian work allowed her to provide medical assistance to 
individuals in Turkey which then led her to Aleppo, Syria. This is a 
region where most humanitarian workers would not go but Kayla was not 
like most people. En route to Aleppo, she was abducted, held captive, 
tortured, and eventually perished at the hands of al-Baghdadi. The 
mission that killed the ISIS leader was a historically destabilizing 
moment for ISIS. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died a coward while Kayla Mueller 
died because of her courage and dedication to others. No one will 
forget her selflessness and her desire to positively impact the lives 
of many.
  I congratulate the special forces unit that took down the depraved 
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. It is my hope that Kayla's family finds comfort 
and peace knowing that justice has been served and that Kayla's memory 
will live in the hearts of Americans for years to come. We cannot take 
back what happened to Kayla. We can only hope that this mission and its 
righteous results honor her life and memory.

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