WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) welcomed North Carolina natives Pastor Andrew Brunson and Norine Brunson as his guests to the State of the Union. Throughout 2018, Senator Tillis worked to help secure the release of Pastor Brunson, who was facing an effective life sentence in Turkey, accused of crimes he did not commit.

VIDEO: Download video of Senator Tillis and Pastor Brunson HERE. Watch the video HERE.

“It’s an honor to have Andrew and Norine Brunson accompany me to the State of the Union, nearly one year after I first met Pastor Andrew Brunson in a Turkish prison, where he faced an effective life sentence,” said Senator Tillis. “The Brunsons demonstrated tremendous grace and unshakable faith during Andrew’s nearly two-year imprisonment and house arrest. One of my proudest moments as a U.S. Senator was the work we did to help secure Andrew’s release, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that he is back with his family and here with me tonight.”

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