[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 79 (Monday, May 12, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S2850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO EDAN ALEXANDER

  Mr. SCHUMER. First, Madam President, today, we have heard some very 
good news: Edan Alexander, an American Israeli and New Jersey native, 
has finally been freed from Hamas's brutal captivity and reunited with 
his family.
  I first met Edan's parents, Adi and Yael, right after October 7--a 
few days after--when Edan was taken hostage by Hamas. For the last 583 
days, Adi and Yael have fought tirelessly for Edan's release. Today, 
that work pays off as they finally get to hug their son again.
  Edan's release gives me more hope and motivation to keep pushing for 
the release of all 58 hostages in Hamas's captivity, including the 
remains of four New Yorkers brutally murdered by Hamas: Omer Neutra, 
Itay Chen, Gad Haggai, and Judi Weinstein. They were brutally killed, 
but their remains should be sent back. But, of course, Hamas, as brutal 
as they are, doesn't do that yet.
  As the President departs to the Middle East, I call on him and his 
administration to use the full weight of U.S. diplomatic power to get a 
deal to bring all of the hostages home.
  I will continue working as long as it takes to finally bring every 
last hostage--including the remains of hostages no longer with us--home 
at last.

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