During a moving session on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Tom Suozzi of New York’s 3rd District honored the life and legacy of Omer Neutra HY”D, a young American-Israeli tank commander killed in the October 7th Hamas attack.
Suozzi shared the story of first meeting Omer as a 14-year-old freshman at the Solomon Schechter School on Long Island. Omer, described as a “big, goofy kid” loved by his peers, was an exceptional athlete and a natural leader. His grandparents, Holocaust survivors, deeply influenced his decision to join the IDF before pursuing higher education at Binghamton University.
Rising to the rank of tank commander, Omer embodied courage and commitment. On October 7th, 2023, Omer was tragically killed in the surprise attack by Hamas terrorists. For 420 days, his family—parents Ronen and Orna, and brother Daniel—relentlessly campaigned for his safe return, holding onto hope amid profound anguish.
“Yesterday morning, we learned that this bright light, this courageous idealist, made the ultimate sacrifice. Omer has not been alive for the past 422 days. He was murdered on October 7th,” Suozzi said solemnly.
He continued, “We thank God for the gift of his life. We pray for the Neutras. And tonight, we rededicate ourselves to Omer’s just cause. We resolve to move forward, guided by his example, his courage, and his memory. May his memory be a blessing. Am Yisrael Chai!”
Elise Stefanik, set to become the U.S. Ambassador to the UN under President Trump, also spoke in memory of Omer, highlighting the loss of an American abductee and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to stand with Israel. Both lawmakers emphasized the importance of remembering Omer’s sacrifice and supporting the fight against terrorism.
Tom Suozzi
This evening, I spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives honoring the memory of Omer Neutra:
· Eight years ago, I met a 14-year-old Solomon Schechter School freshman at the local Salute to Israel event at the Sid Jacobson JCC on Long Island. His name was Omer… pic.twitter.com/B3o3Ep72Fg
— Tom Suozzi (@RepTomSuozzi) December 4, 2024
Elise Stefanik
Trump's future ambassador to the UN, Elise Stefanik, in an emotional speech in the House of Representatives in memory of the American abductee Omer Neutra pic.twitter.com/rwW0cBBkje
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) December 4, 2024
