WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), as well as U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and French Hill (R-Ark.), celebrated President Biden signing into law their bipartisan legislation to establish March 9 as the annual National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. The bill was signed as part of the broader National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and establishes a national day commemorating hostages and wrongful detainees in order to call increased attention to Americans unjustly held abroad. The legislation will also establish an official Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag, pictured below.
“The creation of a National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day and flag will help ensure Americans never forget the tragic stories of Robert Levinson, Evan Gershkovich, and other U.S. citizens held hostage or detained illegally in foreign countries,” said Senator Coons. “I promise to keep unjustly held Americans at the forefront of our foreign policy and make every effort to return each of these Americans safely home. I’m proud to see President Biden sign this into law and help us recognize the plight of wrongfully detained Americans, American hostages, and their families. We stand with you. You are not forgotten.”
“The plight of Americans unjustly detained abroad is excruciating for them and their loved ones,” said Senator Shaheen. “Establishing a day and having a specific flag to recognize these individuals is an important, symbolic way the United States can remind the public that these hostages and their families are not forgotten. I’m proud to join this bipartisan, bicameral action to raise the profiles of these individuals and the families who are fighting for their freedom while we pursue all avenues to bring them home.”
“With the uptick in hostage-taking as a tactic by bad actors and lawless states, we must continue to bring awareness to the plight of Americans who are captive abroad,” said Representative Stevens. “This legislation provides a means to ensure that every American wrongfully detained and their families know that Congress stands with them, and every American will stand with them in observance of National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day each March 9. We won’t stop our support until every single hostage is home with their family.”
“As American citizens are increasingly wrongfully detained worldwide, it is critical that we bring awareness to all Americans who are held against their will. Every year on March 9, National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day will serve as a day that all Americans stand in observance of those who are wrongfully detained abroad,” said Representative Hill. “Congress stands with wrongful detainees and their families, and we will continue to fight until every wrongfully detained American is reunited with their families and is home safely.”
March 9 is the day on which Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran in 2007. He was declared dead in absentia in 2020.
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