[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1965]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING KAYLA MUELLER

  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to express 
sorrow--both mine and that of the people of Arizona--at the news that 
one of our own, Kayla Mueller of Prescott, has died at the hands of 
ISIL.
  Kayla's entire adult life--cut short at the tender age of 26--had 
been dedicated to the service of others and the ending of suffering.
  When she was taken hostage in 2013, Kayla was leaving a Doctors 
Without Borders hospital in Syria. She had been in the region working 
with Syrian refugees.
  Kayla once said that what inspired her work was that she found ``God 
in the suffering eyes reflected in mine. If this is how you are 
revealed to me, this is how I will forever seek you.''
  Regardless of the exact circumstances surrounding Kayla's death, the 
fact remains that had ISIL militants not kidnapped this young woman, 
she would still be with us today. Her death can and should be laid 
squarely at their feet. It is yet another example of this group's 
mindless, alarming savagery.
  The best action Congress can now take is to authorize a mission 
against ISIL and to let our allies and our adversaries know we mean 
business and that we are united in our resolve.
  We should remember Kayla not for her death but for her life and for 
her devotion to the highest calling: dedication to the service of 
others.
  Our deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to Kayla's family and her 
loved ones in Prescott and elsewhere around the State and the country.

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