Statement of Jonathan Franks, family spokesman, on behalf of Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi:

Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)

“Andrew is extremely grateful that Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA), as well as other members, invited him to attend the President’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday evening. He realizes that many were upset that the President did not recognize him by name during the speech. Andrew did not expect to be recognized, nor does he believe recognition was necessary or appropriate. As he has said before, he’s not interested in being politicized in furtherance of or identified with any political agenda – whether that be an anti-Mexican agenda, or an anti-President Obama agenda. Rather than focus on whether he was recognized, Andrew’s focus was on the ideas the President (and others) proposed to help improve the very apparent gap in providing veterans the care they need and deserve. As a former Marine himself, Representative Hunter’s voice is critical on that issue.”