[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1115
                          MARKING OCTOBER 7TH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Manning) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists 
launched a brutal invasion of our ally Israel, killing more Jews than 
on any single day since the Holocaust and taking hundreds of hostages.
  Mr. Speaker, 1 year later, thousands of families continue to grieve 
the loss of their loved ones, and the families of the remaining 
hostages continue to long for their safe return, including the family 
of Keith Siegel from my home State of North Carolina.
  The unspeakable horrors Hamas has inflicted on innocent civilians, 
including terrifying sexual violence and its ongoing torment of the 
hostages, should shock the conscience of the entire world.
  Just last month, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old American 
citizen, was brutally murdered along with five other hostages in the 
Hamas tunnels beneath Gaza as they were about to be rescued by the IDF.
  Since October 7, more than 40 American citizens have been killed by 
Hamas terrorists, and at least 10 remain hostages.
  As we mark the anniversary of Hamas' devastating attack, I am 
grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for their 
unwavering commitment to securing the return of all hostages and for 
their clear recognition that the onus is on Hamas to accept a proposed 
deal.
  Just last month, Israel accepted the terms for a deal. The 
responsibility continues to lie with Hamas to release the hostages and 
accept the deal on the table.
  The release of the hostages and the surrender of the terrorist group 
Hamas is absolutely necessary to allow the international community to 
assist with the reconstruction of Gaza and bring about a stable 
government that is willing to live in peace with Israel. The Arab 
countries willing to assist in the rebuilding of Gaza will not do so if 
Hamas remains.
  Israel stands as our strongest, most dependable, and only democratic 
ally in the Middle East. The United States must continue to stand by 
Israel as it faces ongoing attacks from Iran and its proxies, including 
Hezbollah, which began its attacks on Israel on October 8 while Israel 
was still fighting the terrorists who had invaded their country and had 
not yet sent troops to Gaza.
  Even today, thousands of Israelis are unable to return to their homes 
in southern Israel, and almost 100,000 Israelis are unable to return to 
their homes in northern Israel because of Hezbollah's relentless 
attacks on Israeli civilians.
  Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis must not be allowed to 
continue to destabilize the region and threaten Israel's security. They 
must be held accountable by the international community, and the United 
States must continue to affirm the safety and security of our ally.
  Let us be clear-eyed about what is at risk, not just the security of 
our only democratic ally in the Middle East, but the defeat of a 
terrorist ideology that abhors our western values.
  As we reflect on the horrors of October 7, my heart goes out to all 
the loved ones of those affected by Hamas' brutal assault. The attack 
on October 7 continues to traumatize Israelis and Jews across our 
country.
  I urge Congress to continue to provide Israel the support it needs to 
protect its citizens and to protect the values we Americans hold dear.

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