State leaders urge Hoosiers to keep Kassig family in thoughts, prayers
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- Published: Sunday, 05 October 2014 19:06
An Indianapolis man who spearheaded a relief effort for Syrian refugees has been named the next beheading target of the Islamic State terror group, the Indianapolis Star is reporting.
State elected leaders have issued statements urging Hoosiers to keep Peter (also known as Abdul Rahman) Kassig, 26, in their thoughts and prayers.
In an Internet video released Friday (Oct. 3), a man purporting to be an Islamic State fighter beheaded British hostage Alan Henning, then named the group's next victim — Kassig, a former U.S. Army Ranger and former Butler University student.
Kassig has been held by the group also known as ISIS and ISILfor the past year. Concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Syria, he traveled to the MIddle East in the autumn of 2012 where he founded SERA — Special Emergency Response and Assistance — a group focused on providing Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Syria with medical assistance, supplies, clothing and food.
On Saturday, Kassig's parents posted a video on the internet, pleading for ISIS to "show mercy" for their son.
The following statements have been issued by Indiana's top elected officials in response to Kassig's status:
Governor Pence Statement on ISIL Hostage, Indiana Native Peter Kassig
INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mike Pence issued the following statement regarding the news that Indiana native Peter Kassig is being held hostage by ISIL.
“Our prayers are with Peter Kassig and his family during this unspeakably difficult time. I urge all Hoosiers to keep this compassionate young man and those who know and love him in their thoughts and prayers.”
Donnelly Statement on News of ISIS Hostage, Hoosier Peter Kassig
GRANGER, Ind. - U.S. Sen.Joe Donnelly (D-IN) Friday evening (Oct. 3) released the following statement regarding the news of ISIS hostage, Hoosier Peter Kassig.
“This is an unimaginably devastating situation for any parent to endure. My prayers are with Peter’s parents at this terrible time. My family, like everyone in Indiana and across our country, is praying for and thinking of Peter and his family. I ask for respect of the Kassig family’s privacy as they seek to navigate this heartbreaking situation. I ask all Hoosiers to continue to keep Peter in their thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.”
Coats Statement on ISIS Hostage Peter Kassig of Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS - U.S. Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Friday night (Oct. 3) issued the following statement about Peter Kassig, an Indiana native being held hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS):
“I ask all Hoosiers to join with me in prayer for Peter Kassig at this extraordinarily difficult time. I urge privacy for his family and join his loved ones in feeling profound anguish about Peter’s situation.”
Statement: Walorski on Indiana Native, ISIL Hostage Peter Kassig
MISHAWAKA – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement Saturday (Oct. 4) after the news that Indiana native Peter Kassig is being held hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL):
"My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Peter Kassig, and I ask all Hoosiers to join Dean and I in keeping him and his family in our prayers during this difficult time."
