Stevens and Hill, Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan House Hostage Taskforce, Commemorated 2nd Annual Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and French Hill (R-AR), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Hostage Task Force commemorated the second annual National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. Meant to keep the dozens of Americans wrongfully detained abroad at the forefront, the day of observance and the designation of the official hostage flag became law as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. 

"As we observe the second annual National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, we honor the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of all those, like my constituent Paul Whelan, who have endured captivity,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “We stand in solidarity with their families, and we reaffirm our commitment to securing the release of Americans held hostage around the world. I will keep pushing in the Congress alongside my colleague Rep. French Hill, hostage families, returnees, and advocates to hold rogue states and bad actors accountable and get every American home.” 

"On National Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, we reaffirm our commitment to helping those who are wrongfully detained abroad and ensure their families know their loved ones are not forgotten,” said Rep. French Hill (R-AR). “We must keep these hostages and their families at the forefront of our minds and do everything possible to bring them home safely. I thank Rep. Stevens, all the families, and non-governmental organizations involved for their tireless efforts to bring all hostages home.”

According to the Foley Foundation, there are currently more than 34 Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world. 

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