Rep. Vern Buchanan, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Florida’s 16th district, shared a series of tweets addressing recent developments and community engagements. His posts included updates on an international hostage release and local efforts to honor veterans.
On February 14, 2025, Rep. Buchanan expressed relief over the upcoming release of hostages held by Hamas, including Sagui Dekel-Chen, an American-Israeli with ties to Sarasota. He urged followers to join him in prayer for their safe return. “Very heartening to see.”
Later that day, he celebrated Valentine’s Day by highlighting a collaborative effort between his office and local schools to deliver valentines to veterans in his district. He thanked students from Manatee Schools and Hillsborough Schools for participating in this initiative aimed at honoring veterans’ sacrifices. “Happy Valentine’s Day! “
The following day, on February 15, Rep. Buchanan announced the release of Sagui Dekel-Chen from captivity by Hamas terrorists after 498 days. He noted that Dekel-Chen was reunited with his family and able to meet his one-year-old daughter for the first time since his ordeal began. “Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli-American, has been released from the Hamas terrorists and reunited with his family.”
