 You guys always, you know, it seems like we have a lot of Michigan cases wheel in Good morning everybody. Thanks for coming. Sorry. We started a couple of minutes late. My name is Jonathan Franks. I'm here to start things off So the fate of Taylor Dudley Who had been detained by the Russians since April of 2022 stood as a matter of grave concern for all of us here who blueprinted constructed and Realized a concerted effort for his release as chairman of the Steve Benzies Global Foundation Dedicated to bold action that results and wins for our country and individuals like Taylor and Other hostages and prisoners. We have been able to rescue over the years This is a proud moment for all of us. My foundation and I provided much of the necessary financial operational and logistical support including the medical staff Medical supplies pilots security air and ground transportation and lodging involved in the negotiations Leading up the Taylor Dudley's release and then his transfer home yesterday Governor Richardson and I have now worked together successfully on three missions since 2020 the plight of Taylor Dudley Was an intolerable nightmare for him for his family and for every American We trust that all of our fellow citizens sharing our great satisfaction of his release The team effort led by the tireless governor bill Richardson Included the Richardson Center all the lawyers doctors and participants on both sides of the border and I am pleased to say my foundation All of whom pulled together to get this accomplished as cleanly and neatly as possible Again, I want to thank Steve Benzies It's important to acknowledge that despite the current Environment between our two countries, which is not good the Russian authorities did the right thing By releasing Taylor yesterday. Our work is not yet done We are continuing to work on the release of Paul Whelan and other Americans held in Russia whose cases are less known just because you have a high profile and you're famous and There's a lot of public discussion of your case doesn't mean that Lower profile cases like Taylor's should not be pursued We should never let our hostages Stay and not be protected and brought home Like Taylor who's a Navy veteran On these issues humanitarian issues Russia is willing to engage Prisoner exchanges that's been two out of the three This one it was not a prisoner exchange The Russians asked for nothing in return. Nothing was given in return except I think a process of Humanitarian discussion So I'm hopeful that this release and the ones we've taken Are positives when it comes to Paul Whelan, you know, it seems like we have a lot of Michigan cases