The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING MICHELLE BALL FOR AIDING AFGHAN ALLIES
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HON. CHERI BUSTOS
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 21, 2022
Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michelle Ball from Galena, Illinois, for her efforts in aiding our Afghan allies in a time of crisis.
Michelle is currently a graduate student at the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and has held a leadership role in the counter terrorism working group at Fletcher. Formerly, she was an intern for the Jamaican consulate, the Bureau of Oceans International, Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Michelle later volunteered with Syrian refugees for a nongovernmental organization in Jordan for a total of 350 hours. Prior to her education at Fletcher, she graduated from North Park University.
Upon the collapse of the Afghan government in August of 2021, Michelle immediately sprang into action, assisting the Fletcher Afghanistan Evacuation & Resettlement Working Group's founder Lark Escobar in registering hundreds of Afghans for evacuation. During the course of these efforts, Michelle's brother, who was stationed in COP Charkh in Logar Province, mentioned that his interpreter had contacted him for help evacuating from Afghanistan. Michelle helped prepare his evacuation applications and compiled all the necessary components of his visa for the Department of State vetting. This interpreter had been wounded in combat by the Taliban while supporting Michelle's brother in their duties and has successfully been relocated out of Afghanistan, in addition to his wife and 9 children. These people will now have a safe future because of Michelle. She has saved 11 lives and aided countless others.
It is because of the leadership displayed by Ms. Ball that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again, formally recognize Michelle Ball for her selfless efforts to aid and find safety for our Afghan allies in danger.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 166(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 166(2)
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