[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PROVIDING YELE SOWORE WITH DUE PROCESS RIGHTS

  (Mr. GOTTHEIMER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, this morning, hardworking families 
across northern New Jersey woke up, made breakfast, and wished each 
other good-bye before leaving for work or school.
  But our thoughts are with one family that was unable to be together 
this morning, this Sowore family from Haworth in Bergen County. That is 
because Yele Sowore, a husband, father, and neighbor, remains in 
Nigeria awaiting the outcome of his pending trial.
  For months, members of the New Jersey delegation, including Senator 
Menendez and Senator Booker, have been closely following Mr. Sowore's 
case and working together with the Haworth community to advocate on 
behalf of our neighbor and friend.
  We were relieved when, in December, after months of detention, Mr. 
Sowore was finally released on bail. But we continue to urge the 
Government of Nigeria to follow its own laws and to do the right thing: 
providing Yele with the due process rights he deserves.
  I want to recognize Yele's family, especially his wife, Ope, who has 
dealt with a trying situation with extraordinary courage and 
determination.

  As Representative of the Fifth Congressional District, I am very 
proud to stand beside Yele's many friends and neighbors throughout 
north Jersey whose hope is that he will soon be able to be reunited 
with his family. We are thinking of him, praying for him, and I will 
not stop working until he comes home.

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