[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H861-H862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MEANING OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
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[[Page H862]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 21 Christian men who 
were murdered for their faith.
  In 2015, ISIS dragged them onto a Libyan beach, forced them to kneel, 
and beheaded them on video. In that horrific moment, they did not show 
fear. They showed faith.
  Mr. Speaker, 20 of these men were Coptic Christians from Egypt just 
trying to earn a living for their families. The 21st man, Matthew, who 
was from Ghana, wasn't even Coptic by birth. ISIS gave him a choice to 
walk away or die. He chose to stand with his brothers, knowing exactly 
what it would cost him. He knew it was better to die free than to live 
under tyranny.
  That is faith, Mr. Speaker. That is true freedom. For 45 days, ISIS 
beat, starved, and tortured these men. They were offered food and money 
if they would just deny Christ, but they never did. Instead, as the 
terrorists raised their blades, their last word was the name of Jesus.
  I remember my father had a Bible verse on his mirror that said if you 
deny me before man, I will deny you before the gates of Heaven. They 
did not deny their faith.
  This month marks 10 years since their deaths. ISIS thought they were 
making a statement of fear. Instead, they showed the world what 
unshakeable faith looks like.
  The Coptic and Catholic churches have honored these men as martyrs, 
as they should. Just as these men refused to abandon their faith, their 
faith has never abandoned them. One of the martyrs' widows said: Their 
blood mixed together, and as a result, we the widows are united.
  These men weren't just believers. They were immovable. Their story 
should remind every American what real religious freedom means. May we 
never forget them.

                          ____________________