[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 19 (Monday, January 31, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Abduction of Mark Frerichs

  Madam President, 2 years ago, Mark Frerichs, a veteran of the U.S. 
Navy, from Illinois, was abducted by the Taliban--2 years.
  At the time, Mark was working as a civil engineer. For a decade, he 
had been leading construction projects to benefit the people of 
Afghanistan. But on January 31, 2020, Mark was invited to a meeting, 
ostensibly to discuss his next project. When he arrived, he was 
kidnapped and taken to a stronghold in the mountains of Afghanistan.
  For 2 agonizing years, Mark's family has prayed for his safe return. 
They shouldn't be forced to wait a minute longer.
  Last week, Charlene Cakora, Mark's sister, wrote an op-ed in the 
Washington Post, urging the Biden administration to help finally bring 
Mark Frerichs home.
  My colleague Senator Duckworth and I have made the same appeal to the 
President many times over to push every possible lever to secure the 
safe and urgent release of Mark. It seems the administration is 
committed to do so, and I thank the President for his recent statement.
  He said in that statement that the Taliban must immediately release 
Mark before it can ``expect any consideration of its aspirations for 
legitimacy.''
  We all pray that Mark is still alive and in good health. So as the 
administration continues to hold talks with the Taliban on everything 
from women's rights to combating starvation and famine, I hope and pray 
that Mark's release will remain on the forefront of those negotiations.
  I look forward to continuing to work with the administration on this 
case. Senator Duckworth and I have worked behind the scenes as best we 
can, over and over, year after year, month after month, to bring him 
home.
  Let's make sure that Mark Frerichs doesn't spend another year in 
captivity. Let's bring him home to Lombard, IL, so he can turn 60 in 
the loving arms and company of family and friends.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Duckworth). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.