[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Tribute to Leila de Lima

  Madam President, on a separate topic totally unrelated, after nearly 
7 years--6 years 8 months 21 days--of being unjustly jailed, former 
Philippine Senator Leila de Lima was finally released. This is a 
picture of her waving from the window as she was released.
  In a moving interview just after leaving the prison camp, she stood 
by her defense of democracy, human rights, and truth and reflected on 
the importance of not succumbing to hate--a reminder of courage and 
grace.
  I welcome her release and urge any and all remaining charges against 
her be immediately dropped. I look forward to seeing her soon. I hope 
she can make it to Washington.
  Several Senators have followed this case carefully and closely, 
including the Presiding Officer. We have sent letters. We have 
encouraged her over the years to be strong, and she was. Senator Markey 
was also involved in this effort, and I want to commend him as well.
  You often wonder, when you hear about these unjust jailings in lands 
far away from the United States, whether there is anything we can do on 
the floor of the Senate Chamber that can change history.
  Today, finally, after 6 years 8 months 21 days, history came around 
for Leila de Lima, the Senator from the Philippines. She is an 
extraordinary woman who showed extraordinary courage. I am glad to 
plead her case before the American people and to plead it to the 
President of the United States before he met with Filipino leadership.
  This is an important thing to remember: that each and every one of us 
have the power to speak out for those who are otherwise voiceless. She 
was one, and it ended with good news today.