Shaheen, Graham Announce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of James Foley on Ten Year Anniversary of Brutal Murder by ISIS

**Bipartisan resolution also recognizes the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation’s work to advocate for the release of Americans taken captive abroad**

(Washington, DC) – On the ten-year anniversary of American journalist James Wright Foley’s horrific murder by Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), ranking member on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, announced a bipartisan resolution to honor Foley’s life and legacy. The Senators’ resolution also recognizes the vital ongoing work of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to advocate for the release of Americans taken captive abroad. 

“Ten years ago, James Foley, a journalist and Granite Stater, was murdered by ISIS terrorists. His death was horrific and senseless but should not overshadow his incredible life. Today, we’re announcing a bipartisan resolution to commemorate his life, legacy and dedication to reporting the truth,” said Shaheen. “In her son’s honor, Diane Foley established the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to carry on his memory by fighting for Americans wrongfully detained or taken hostage abroad. The Foundation’s work has helped change how the U.S. government responds such cases. It is due in no small part to her leadership that so many Americans have been reunited with their families.” 

“I’m very pleased to support this resolution remembering James Foley, an American journalist who was murdered by barbaric terrorists ten years ago,” said Graham. “This resolution not only honors his life, but keeps us focused on other Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. Senator Shaheen has been a great leader on this issue, and I appreciate all her hard work to recognize James Foley’s life and legacy.” 

“The Foley family and James W. Foley Legacy Foundation sincerely thank Senators Shaheen and Graham for the James W. Foley Resolution on August 19, 2024 commemorating the 10th anniversary of the brutal public murder of American journalist James Wright Foley by ISIS and calling for the moral courage to prioritize the return of Americans held captive abroad and to deter international hostage taking and arbitrary detention,” said Diane Foley, Founder and President of the James W. Foley Foundation. 

Text of the Senators’ bipartisan resolution can be found here. 

James Foley was an American journalist from New Hampshire who was abducted by ISIS while reporting as a freelance war correspondent during the Syrian Civil War in 2012. Following the confirmation of his death, Diane Foley wrote "We have never been prouder of our son Jim, he gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people." On September 2, 2021, Alexanda Amon Kotey pled guilty to four counts of hostage-taking that resulted in the death of Americans as well as other charges for his participation in the death of Jim as well as three other Americans: Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Layla Mueller. On April 14, 2022, El Shafee Elsheikh was found guilty of the same offenses and sentenced to life in prison.   

Shaheen has long supported and partnered with the James W. Foley Foundation on its efforts to free Americans taken captive abroad. Earlier this year, Shaheen delivered a keynote address at the foundation’s annual Foley Freedom Awards dinner. In March, Shaheen announced that she secured $350,000 to digitize and preserve the archival collection and work of James Foley which will be accessible in person or online. 

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