[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Joint Session of Congress

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, tomorrow, President Trump will address a 
joint meeting of Congress for the first time since taking the oath of 
office. It is my honor--my true honor--to welcome seven incredible New 
Yorkers tomorrow who will tell the story of what is under threat by 
Donald Trump's agenda, from Medicaid beneficiaries to disabled veterans 
fired from their jobs at the VA, to fired USDA workers, to home 
healthcare workers.
  It will also be my profound honor to welcome Orna Neutra, mother of 
Omer Neutra, and Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, both who were 
tragically killed by vicious Hamas thugs on October 7.
  Orna's son Omer was taken hostage by Hamas during the attacks on 
October 7. It wasn't until over a year later that Omer's family learned 
he was murdered by Hamas on October 7. Ruby's son Itay was also taken 
hostage and tragically murdered by Hamas on the border of Gaza on 
October 7.
  After months of fighting for his return, Itay's family learned that 
he was also killed by Hamas on October 7. I spoke to Itay's dad and I 
spoke to Orna as well many times between October 7 and when they were 
notified that their children had been murdered.
  It was vicious cruelty of Hamas for whom viciousness seems to be part 
of their way not to let the families know what had happened. Over and 
over again, especially Ruby Chen, whom I got to know well, and we had 
Brooklyn roots together, would wonder, Is he dead? Is he alive? Is he 
alive? Is he dead? And Hamas kept him dangling, as I said, viciously 
and cruelly.
  What Omer and Itay's family have endured is beyond comprehension, but 
I am inspired by their perseverance, by their resolve to keep calling 
for the safe return of remaining hostages and for the return of the 
bodies of their loved ones. We must bring all the hostages home now. 
But it is an honor--a true honor--to welcome all of my guests, the 
Neutras, the Chens, and, of course, the others to the Capitol.