In Honor of Kayla Mueller

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize Kayla Mueller, a courageous, selfless individual who died at the hands of the ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Just recently, the United States government conducted a secret mission that led to the ISIS leader's demise. Fittingly, the mission was named after Kayla to let the world know, she did not die in vain.

Kayla was a brave missionary and activist hailing from my district, specifically Prescott, Arizona. She was dedicated to serving others through her humanitarian work, regardless of the danger. Her humanitarian work allowed her to provide medical assistance to individuals in Turkey which then led her to Aleppo, Syria. This is a region where most humanitarian workers would not go but Kayla was not like most people. En route to Aleppo, she was abducted, held captive, tortured, and eventually perished at the hands of al-Baghdadi. The mission that killed the ISIS leader was a historically destabilizing moment for ISIS. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died a coward while Kayla Mueller died because of her courage and dedication to others. No one will forget her selflessness and her desire to positively impact the lives of many.

I congratulate the special forces unit that took down the depraved Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. It is my hope that Kayla's family finds comfort and peace knowing that justice has been served and that Kayla's memory will live in the hearts of Americans for years to come. We cannot take back what happened to Kayla. We can only hope that this mission and its righteous results honor her life and memory.

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