[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E268-E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL HOSTAGE AND WRONGFUL DETAINEE DAY

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                          HON. J. FRENCH HILL

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2023

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Hostage 
and Wrongful Detainee Day.
  I along with my Democratic colleague, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, 
reintroduced our legislation yesterday that establishes March 9 as 
National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.
  On March 9, 2007, Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran.
  He never returned home.
  The commemoration of this national day brings attention to Americans 
that are being unjustly held as wrongful detainees and hostages in a 
foreign land.
  Since the Levinson Act was signed into law two years ago, we've heard 
from families and organizations that are dedicated to helping bring 
wrongful detainees and hostages home and how the law is working.
  We're learning more about how the Levinson Act is being used since 
it's become law.
  And it's time for the House Foreign Affairs Committee to conduct 
oversight and see what potential changes should be made.
  I helped create in the last Congress, the Congressional Task Force on 
American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, because one 
of my constituents disappeared on a visit to Syria. Majd Kamalmaz is 
still held by the Assad regime in Syria.
  Majd and his wonderful family lived for a time in my hometown of 
Little Rock.
  And every member of Congress is dedicated to the more than 50 
Americans who right now are held against their will wrongfully in a 
country around the world.
  We all want to bring home Majd and every other American that's being 
held wrongfully.
  I'm proud to be a part of this Task Force and work alongside my 
friend, Congresswoman Stevens.
  I thank all those who are involved in their daily awareness to bring 
wrongful detainees and hostages around the world home to their families 
in our great country.

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