H6086 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 political prisoners occupy cells in Rus- tisan resolution, H. Res. 958, ‘‘Condemning international commitments, including the incar- sian jails. They aren’t there because the practice of politically motivated imprison- ceration of political prisoners, occur. they are bad people. They aren’t there ment and calling for the immediate release of It is our responsibility as Members of Con- because they are real criminals. They political prisoners in the Russian Federation gress to pass this resolution today in order to are there because Vladimir Putin is and urging action by the United States Gov- urge the Russian Federation to release its po- afraid of them. He doesn’t want them ernment to impose sanctions with respect to litical prisoners and respect the basic human to challenge his authority. He doesn’t persons responsible for that form of human rights of its citizens. want them to have a voice. rights abuse.’’ I urge all Members on both sides of the Today, we have a chance to provide a For years, Russia’s human rights record has aisle to join me in voting for H. Res. 958, voice for the people Putin has tried to continued to deteriorate, with the rights to ‘‘Condemning the practice of politically moti- silence. This resolution condemns the freedom of expression, association, and vated imprisonment and calling for the imme- practice of jailing individuals for polit- peaceful assembly consistently restricted, both diate release of political prisoners in the Rus- ical purposes and calls for the release by law and in practice. sian Federation and urging action by the of all political prisoners in Russia. It Most often, the people who are courageous United States Government to impose sanc- also urges the administration to im- enough to attempt exercising their most basic tions with respect to persons responsible for pose sanctions on Russian officials who human rights, including freedom of the press that form of human rights abuse.’’ are complicit in human rights abuses. and freedom of speech, face reprisals, ranging The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Once again, I want to thank my good from harassment to police ill-treatment, arbi- question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. friend, Chairman ENGEL, for intro- trary arrest, heavy fines, and, in some cases, ducing this bill. He has been a great criminal prosecution and imprisonment. ENGEL) that the House suspend the champion for victims of tyranny his Among the Kremlin’s political prisoners are rules and agree to the resolution, H. entire career. I am grateful for all of journalists, opposition activists, peaceful pro- Res. 958, as amended. The question was taken; and (two- his hard work. testers, adherents of ‘‘prohibited’’ religious thirds being in the affirmative) the Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well rules were suspended and the resolu- support this resolution, and I yield as members of ‘‘undesirable’’ political organi- tion, as amended, was agreed to. back the balance of my time. zations like Open Russia, an organization that A motion to reconsider was laid on Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- has done a lot to support victims of human the table. self such time as I may consume for rights violations in Russia. the purpose of closing. In fact, several human rights defenders and f Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank NGOs have been targeted within Russia under EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER my friend, the ranking member of the the laws on ‘‘foreign agents’’ and ‘‘undesirable DETENTION OF AUSTIN TICE Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. organizations’’. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to MCCAUL. It has been a pleasure work- Mr. Speaker, this resolution seeks to do suspend the rules and agree to the reso- ing closely with him on so many pieces three things: lution (H. Res. 17) expressing concern of legislation. I know that the work Condemn the practice of politically moti- over the detention of Austin Tice, and will continue, and we will continue to vated imprisonment by the Russian govern- for other purposes, as amended. keep in touch and make sure that we ment, particularly under the leadership of The Clerk read the title of the resolu- go the right way in trying to stop these President Vladimir Putin; tion. human rights abuses all over the world. Call for the immediate release of those des- The text of the resolution is as fol- The number of political prisoners in ignated as political prisoners in the Russian lows: Russia has increased by sixfold since Federation; and H. RES. 17 the year 2015. This is what we have Urge the current Administration to impose Whereas Austin Tice is a 39-year-old vet- come to expect from Vladimir Putin’s sanctions on those responsible for these eran, having served in the Marine Corps as Russia: Blatant disregard for human human rights abuses using the Sergei an infantry officer, a Georgetown law stu- rights and rule of law. Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, the dent, and a graduate of Georgetown Univer- The United States must stand firm Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability sity, from Houston, Texas; against Russia’s practice of politically Act, or other authorities. Whereas Austin is an Eagle Scout, Na- motivated imprisonment and impose By passing this resolution today, we are tional Merit Scholarship finalist, and eldest sanctions against anyone responsible of seven children; sending a bipartisan message to the Russian Whereas Austin was a contributing free- for these human rights abuses. It is Government that we see the violations of lance journalist to McClatchy Newspapers, really important that the U.S. Con- human rights that are occurring, and we will the Washington Post and other media out- gress stand up and do this. It is really not stand idly by while people who are fighting lets, and a recipient of the 2012 George Polk important that we do it, regardless of for progress are tortured and ill-treated. Award for War Reporting; political party. Furthermore, counter-terrorism provisions Whereas, in May 2012, Austin crossed the It is really important to send Putin a are widely used to target dissent across the Turkey-Syria border to report on the inten- message that we are not going to sit country and in Crimea, and torture tactics re- sifying conflict in Syria; idly by and allow him to do his bad Whereas, on August 11, 2012, Austin cele- main pervasive, as does impunity for its per- brated his 31st birthday in Darayaa, Syria; work. He has interfered with our elec- petrators. Whereas, on August 14, 2012, Austin de- tions. He has tried again. He succeeded Last year, due to the growing disconnect parted for Beirut, Lebanon, was detained at some of the time; he didn’t succeed in between the authorities and general public, a checkpoint near Damascus, Syria, and con- other times. But we want him to stay there was an increase in street protests, rang- tact with family, friends, and colleagues away, and we want the people of Russia ing from political to economic to social and ceased; to have a government where they can even to environmental issues. Whereas, in late September 2012, a video feel free, not one where they feel the In July and August of 2019, more than clip appeared on YouTube showing Austin boot on their neck all the time. 2,600 people were arrested during protests in blindfolded and being prodded up a hillside by masked militants; We need to stand firm against Rus- Moscow, which had remained peaceful until Whereas in the years since Austin’s dis- sia’s practice of politically motivated the police and National Guard officers forcibly appearance, no group has claimed responsi- imprisonment and impose sanctions intervened. bility for his capture; against anyone, even Putin, respon- According to Amnesty International, there Whereas the Syrian government has never sible for these human rights abuses. were numerous reports of arbitrary arrest, use acknowledged detaining Austin and has de- Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to sup- of excessive, as well as indiscriminate force nied the same to Austin’s parents; port H. Res. 958, and I yield back the and ill-treatment of protesters by the officers, Whereas officials of the United States be- balance of my time. but none of these cases were known to have lieve Austin is alive and being held in Syria and that the Syrian government should as- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a been investigated. sist in locating and returning Austin to his member of the Tom Lantos Commission for As a fierce defender of human rights and family; Human Rights and a former member of the the world’s oldest democracy, the United Whereas Austin Tice’s parents, Marc and Commission on Security and Cooperation in States has a duty to the world to speak up in Debra Tice, have been diligent in their ef- Europe, I rise in strong support of this bipar- the face of injustice and when violations of forts to find their son, repeatedly meeting

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.068 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6087 with senior officials of the United States have diplomatic influence with the Syrian ing member, MICHAEL MCCAUL, for his Government, the Syrian government, the government; and leadership on this issue. I am proud to United Nations, and many others; (5) requests that the Department of State support this measure, and I encourage Whereas the Tices have traveled to the and the intelligence community continue to my colleagues to do the same. Middle East multiple times, most recently in work with and inform Congress and the fami- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of December 2018, seeking Austin’s safe release, lies of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz to and Debra Tice spent four months living in the extent possible regarding efforts to se- my time. PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON Damascus, Syria, for the same purpose; cure their safe release and return from de- INTELLIGENCE, Whereas the Tices have partnered with Re- tention in Syria. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, porters Without Borders to launch cam- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- paigns with nearly 270 newspapers and media Washington, DC, December 1, 2020. organizations, highlighting Austin’s case in ant to the rule, the gentleman from Hon. ELIOT ENGEL, their publications and on their websites; New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- Committeee on Foreign Affairs, Whereas institutions and organizations, in- tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each House of Representatives, Washington, DC. cluding Georgetown University, Georgetown will control 20 minutes. DEAR CHAIRMAN ENGEL: I write concerning Law Center, the National Press Club, the The Chair recognizes the gentleman H. Res. 17, a resolution that expresses con- cern regarding the 2012 capture and deten- Committee to Protect Journalists, from New York. McClatchy, and the Washington Post, have tion in Syria of Austin Tice—a U.S. Citizen, collaborated to raise and maintain public b 1630 journalist, and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps; and encourages the Executive Branch awareness of Austin’s detention; GENERAL LEAVE to take further actions aimed at bringing Whereas, on November 18, 2018, then- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- about Mr. Tice’s immediate and safe return. United States Special Presidential Envoy for Certain provisions in the resolution fall Hostage Affairs, Robert O’Brien, said that imous consent that all Members have 5 within the jurisdiction of the House Perma- the United States Government believes Aus- legislative days in which to revise and nent Select Committee on Intelligence tin Tice is alive; extend their remarks and include ex- (HPSCI), as set forth in Rule X of the House Whereas at a press briefing on March 19, traneous material on H. Res. 17. of Representatives for the 116th Congress. 2020, President Trump expressed concern for The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there In the interest of permitting your com- Austin and called on the Syrian government objection to the request of the gen- mittee to proceed expeditiously to floor con- to release him; tleman from New York? sideration of this important bill, I am will- Whereas Majd Kamalmaz is a 62-year old There was no objection. ing to waive this committee’s right to se- Syrian-American psychotherapist, father of quential referral. By waiving consideration four, and resident of Texas; Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- self such time as I may consume. of H. Res. 17, HPSCI does not waive any fu- Whereas Majd is a well-known mental- ture jurisdictional claim over the subjects health professional with experience in dis- Mr. Speaker, in August 2012, Amer- contained in the bill which fall within aster relief and post-traumatic care; ican journalist and Marine veteran HPSCI’s Rule X jurisdiction. I also ask that Whereas in February 2017 Majd traveled to Austin Tice was abducted while report- our exchange of letters be included in the Syria to visit an elderly family member and ing on the ongoing conflict in Syria. Congressional Record during consideration aid civilians traumatized by the Syrian civil Eight years later, Tice continues to be of the measure on the House floor. war; held captive, his family and friends un- I continue to be grateful for our commit- Whereas on February 16, 2017 Majd’s family tees’ longstanding cooperation, both regard- received word that he had been detained at a aware of his condition and where- ing this matter and others. And I continue to checkpoint on his way to Ghouta, outside of abouts. strongly support this and other efforts to se- Damascus, Syria; Five years later, another American cure Mr. Tice’s immediate and safe return to Whereas since February 2017 Majd’s family citizen, Texas resident and the United States. has not heard from him; psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz, was Sincerely, Whereas the Syrian government has never detained without cause in northern ADAM B. SCHIFF, publicly acknowledged detaining Majd; Syria while visiting an elderly family Chairman. Whereas Majd’s family and the Syrian- member and aiding civilians trauma- American community have advocated tire- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, lessly for his immediate release; tized by the civil war. Kamalmaz has COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Whereas in July 2020, United States Am- been imprisoned by the Assad regime Washington, DC, November 23, 2020. bassador and Special Presidential Envoy for in Syria ever since without access to Hon. ADAM B. SCHIFF, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens publicly the outside world. House Permanent Select Committee on Intel- stated, ‘‘The U.S. Government is in frequent The Tice and Kamalmaz families ligence, contact with the Kamalmaz family to pro- have worked tirelessly to secure the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. vide support and information’’ and that immediate release of their loved ones. DEAR CHAIRMAN SCHIFF: I am writing to ‘‘Bringing home Majd, along with all U.S. you concerning H. Res. 17, expressing con- citizens held hostage or wrongfully detained Still, Austin and Majd continue to suf- cern over the detention of Austin Tice, and abroad, has the attention of the highest lev- fer inside Syria. H. Res. 17 encourages for other purposes. I appreciate your willing- els in the U.S. government.’’; and the Department of State, the Office of ness to work cooperatively on this legisla- Whereas, as described in the Caesar Syria the Special Presidential Envoy for Hos- tion. Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 tage Affairs, and other U.S. Govern- I acknowledge that provisions of the bill note), Congress calls on the regime of Bashar ment entities to work jointly to facili- fall within the jurisdiction of the House Per- al-Assad to release all political prisoners manent Select Committee on Intelligence tate Tice and Kamalmaz’ safe release under House Rule X, and that your Com- forcibly held within its prison system and to and return. allow access to the same facilities for inves- mittee will forgo action on H. Res. 17 to ex- tigations by appropriate international This legislation does not legitimize pedite floor consideration. I further ac- human rights organizations: Now, therefore, the Assad regime. I would never do knowledge that the inaction of your Com- be it that. For years and years, I have called mittee with respect to the bill does not Resolved, That the House of Representa- them out on all of their human rights waive any future jurisdictional claim over tives— violations. It is a brutal regime, mur- the matters contained in the bill that fall (1) expresses its ongoing concern regarding dering men, women, and children in the within your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of House Permanent Select the capture of Austin Tice in August 2012 and hundreds of thousands. Majd Kamalmaz in February 2017, and their Committee on Intelligence conferees during continuing detention; So, this doesn’t legitimize the Assad any House-Senate conference convened on (2) encourages the Department of State, regime, nor does it legitimize the de- this legislation. the intelligence community, and the inter- plorable tactic of hostage-taking. In Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of agency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to fact, it does the opposite. letters is included in the Congressional jointly continue investigations and to pursue Passing this resolution is a recogni- Record during floor consideration of the bill. all possible information regarding Austin tion that our country stands with Aus- Thank you again for your cooperation re- garding the legislation. I look forward to and Majd’s detention; tin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz and those (3) encourages the Department of State continuing to work with you as the measure like them who have been victims of the moves through the legislative process. and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hos- Assad regime. tage Affairs to engage the Syrian govern- Sincerely, ment to facilitate Austin and Majd’s safe re- Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman ELIOT L. ENGEL, lease and return; AL GREEN for introducing this impor- Chairman. (4) encourages the Department of State to tant legislation. I want to also recog- Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield work with foreign governments known to nize, once again, our committee’s rank- myself such time as I may consume.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A03DE7.107 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6088 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 Mr. Speaker, 3,034 days. That is how over the past years. He and I, working The President has weighed in. He has long Austin Tice, a former U.S. marine together with other Members in this sent the Tice family a message indi- and freelance journalist, has been held Chamber, will bring Austin home, fi- cating that he is going to work hard to captive in Syria. It is far past time nally. bring Austin home. that he be returned home to his family Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, this resolution today is in Houston. my time. another step in the direction of bring- Austin has dedicated his life to his Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 ing Austin Tice home. He is a great country and to serving others. After minutes to the gentleman from Texas American. He has played by the rules. serving 10 years in the United States (Mr. GREEN), the author of this impor- He is the kind of son that any one of us Marine Corps, Austin decided to enroll tant resolution. would want to have and the kind of son in law school. He wanted to continue Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I that Debra and Marc Tice are blessed helping those who needed help the thank the chairperson of the com- to have. But their blessing should not most. While he was attending George- mittee, Mr. ENGEL, and the ranking end with having a son; their blessing town Law, just down the street from member of the committee, Mr. should end with having their son with here, he couldn’t stop thinking about MCCAUL, for supporting this legisla- them. what he had seen and the people he had tion. Again, I thank all who have played a Mr. Speaker, I am on a mission of met on his tours in the Middle East. role in getting this resolution to the So, before beginning his final year of mercy. I have been on a mission of floor. mercy for 8 years because it has been law school, Austin decided to return to Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 the Middle East. Only this time, it more than 8 years now that Austin minutes to the gentleman from Arkan- Tice has been detained in Syria. Eight would be to report on the atrocities sas (Mr. HILL), whose constituent is years it has been. That is also how long happening in Syria. Majd Kamalmaz. The Assad regime’s brutal attacks on this family has been grieving. Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I I, too, know the Tice family. I have its own people were horrifying to hear thank my friend, Mr. MCCAUL, for the met with them multiple times and about. They were even using chemical time and take a moment to salute and talked with them multiple times weapons on their own people. provide tribute to Congressman ELIOT today, in fact. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough I am grateful to many people who ENGEL for his extraordinary service as reporters on the ground in Syria to have made it possible for this resolu- chair of the House Foreign Affairs verify their crimes or tell the world tion to come to the floor, so I think it Committee. His wise counsel will be about the suffering of the Syrian peo- important that I immediately thank missed in this House. ple. So, Austin did what he has always them. Mr. Speaker, let me thank, too, my done. He stepped up to the plate and Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Speak- good friend on the House Financial filled a much-needed void in a very er PELOSI because I talked to her per- Services Committee, a colleague and dangerous place in order to help those sonally about the Tice situation. I collaborator on many good things, my who could not help themselves. thank Majority Leader HOYER; I had a friend, Congressman AL GREEN from But then, on August 14, 2012, as he conversation with him. I want to thank Houston, for his service and leadership was preparing to return home, Austin Congressman HILL for his steadfast re- on this important matter. was captured at a checkpoint in Da- solve to not only help Austin but to Austin Bennett Tice, an inter- mascus. Now, more than 8 years later, help Dr. Kamalmaz, his constituent. national correspondent in Syria and a he is still being held in Syria. Austin is Again, Chairman ENGEL has been Marine veteran who we have heard now entering his ninth year of cap- stellar, superb, and supreme in allow- about today, has been missing since tivity. In just a matter of months, he ing this to come to the floor. Mr. 2012. And my constituent, Dr. Majd will turn 40 years old. MCCAUL has been a great partner. He Kamalmaz, a noted child therapist who Mr. Speaker, that is nine birthdays has demonstrated the kind of biparti- was in Syria attending the funeral of a that he will have missed back home, sanship that the public expects from us relative, has been missing since 2017. nine Thanksgiving dinners without his on issues such as these. Of course, I These families deserve certainty and family. Later this month, it will be thank the 41 cosponsors of this legisla- recovery of their loved ones, Mr. nine Christmases that his family has tion. Speaker. Both Mr. Tice and Dr. had to endure without him. Finally, I thank the Tice family for Kamalmaz have called on American I have met Austin’s parents many having the courage, the strength, the and international leaders to bring times, and it is very tragic and emo- intestinal fortitude to stay with it. home their loved ones. tional. Each time, I see the pain in Never one time have they given up on It is our duty to do whatever we can their eyes as they describe their tire- the belief that their son, their eldest to ensure that these and all other less efforts to bring him home. That is son, can be returned home to them. Americans held abroad are returned a pain that only parents can truly un- Who was Austin Tice? Well, he loved safely and as soon as possible. derstand. his country. He loved his country. He I am grateful for the leadership of It is up to us here in this Chamber to went to the Marines. He was a Marine President Trump and now National Se- show the Tice family that we will not captain, a veteran Marine captain. He curity Advisor and former Special tolerate this for another year. Austin is such. He played by the rules. At 16 Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert deserves to have his life back, and his years of age, he was in college. He re- O’Brien for their steadfast determina- family deserves to have him back. ceived his undergraduate degree from tion to bring American citizens home. Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, we Georgetown University School of For- Our work will not be complete until once again urge the administration to eign Services. He played by the rules. all Americans are reunited with their continue working to bring Austin He went on to get an opportunity to families and their loved ones. home. The State Department should help others. He believed in helping We ask for God’s blessings on this use all the tools at its disposal to en- other people. This is why he went to House floor for those held in captivity sure his safe and immediate return. Syria. and for their loved ones. Congress will not rest, and I will not He went to those places where few of Mr. Speaker, I vote in favor, and I rest, and my colleague, Congressman us would dare to go, and he went be- urge my colleagues to vote in favor of GREEN, will not rest until Austin and cause he wanted the world to know this important legislation. Let’s pull the other American hostages detained what is happening in these distant together in this House to bring home abroad have been safely reunited with places. And while he was there, he went our American hostages. their families. missing. A month after he was not Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend heard from, a 43-second video emerged minute to the gentleman from Texas and colleague, Congressman AL GREEN, with the title ‘‘Austin Tice is Alive.’’ (Mr. GREEN), the author of this impor- for his introduction of this bill. The We know that he is alive. We want tant resolution. Tice family are his constituents. He him back alive. We are asking all who Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, has stood by them day in and day out can be of service to do so. on an issue such as this, no one should

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.072 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE December 3, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6089 be left behind who has played a role in truth of what went on in Syria and ment to secure the prisoners’ release helping with this cause. We have men- continues to go on. home. The immediate release of Amer- tioned that it is bipartisan, but it is Please join me in supporting this res- ican citizens Austin Tice and Majd also bicameral. olution and sending a powerful mes- Kamalmaz is very important to us. Senators CRUZ and CORNYN have sage. As you have heard, they have been played a role in helping us to get this Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve unjustly held in Syria, and we are not message to the world. Mr. Speaker, I the balance of my time. going to let it go. We are not going to want to thank them, the 41 Members Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield stop until they are released. It is the who signed on, and all others who myself the balance of my time. right thing to do, and it is the only signed on to a letter that we sent to Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman ELIOT thing that we can do. the President. ENGEL, Representatives GREEN, BILI- I again thank Congressman GREEN Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the op- RAKIS, FRENCH HILL, and so many of my for introducing this bipartisan resolu- portunity to say these words of grati- other colleagues on both sides of the tion. I thank Mr. MCCAUL for working tude and thanks. aisle for supporting this important with us on this. Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance minutes to the gentleman from Florida Austin Tice dedicated his life to serv- of my time. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a co- (Mr. BILIRAKIS). ice. From his time in the Marine Corps Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the to his reporting on the brutal civil war sponsor, a mother, and a senior member of story of Austin Tice’s disappearance and humanitarian crisis in Syria, he the House Judiciary Committee, I rise in and presumed imprisonment is tragic lived to improve the lives of others. strong support of this bipartisan resolution, H. and frustrating. Think about it: Austin went to Syria Res. 17, ‘‘Expressing Concern Over the De- I met with Austin’s loving parents, to document some of the most brutal tention of Austin Tice, and for other pur- Marc and Debra, last year in my office, crimes against humanity so the world poses.’’ In May of 2012, the summer before Austin’s where they told me about the heart- would see it, to expose what Assad has final year at Georgetown Law School, he breaking details of his abduction in done to his own people to the world, chose to go to Syria as a freelance journalist 2012 at a checkpoint near Damascus on and the price he had to pay for that is to be put into a Syrian prison. to cover the country’s civil war. his way to Beirut. Austin felt compelled to tell the story of the It is far past time that we repay Aus- Hearing about Austin, I knew I had horrific and ongoing conflict there as well as tin for his service, not only to our to do what I could to try and help, just its impact on the people of Syria. like these other Members who have country, but to the world to expose On August 14, 2012, Austin departed from spoken earlier. So, with the Tices sit- these war crimes, to expose what was the town of Darayya, a suburb of Damascus, ting in my office, I called upon the help happening over there, and the courage to travel to Lebanon, but shortly after leaving, of my Syrian-American friend and con- he had to go over there to photograph. he was detained at a Syrian check point. stituent, Paul Jallo. I put Mr. Jallo on By bringing him home to his friends Five weeks later, a 43-second video speakerphone as we brainstormed with and his family, that is the way we pay emerged online with the title, ‘‘Austin Tice is Marc and Debra as to how we could him back. We have to use every tool at Alive’’, showing Austin being held by a group navigate the treachery of this situa- our disposal within the United States of unidentified men with assault rifles, but tion on the ground in Syria. Government to bring him home to his there was no other message that accom- family. b 1645 panied the video. Again, I want to thank all those in- Even still today, no group has claimed re- Paul vowed to enlist the assistance of volved, and in particular, Congressman sponsibility for his capture nor have there his family and friends living in Damas- GREEN, who represents the family, been any demands in exchange for his re- cus to try and garner critical informa- whom we have talked to extensively. lease. tion as to Austin’s current location This is one of those measures that is Austin Tice was not a combatant. and the identity of his captors. I can- really an emotional one from the heart He was simply a young man doing his job, not thank and commend Paul enough because we are talking about the life of yet he has, without a doubt, had to suffer un- for his continued efforts to help the a patriot who is trapped in a very bad imaginable ordeals and face the dangers of Tices in this ongoing endeavor to de- prison in Syria overseas and cannot get conflict, hostile governments, and rapacious termine the status of Austin’s well- out, and it has been 8 years—8 years, bandits while reporting on the Syrian civil war. being. for God’s sake, Mr. Speaker. It is time My heart goes out to Austin’s parents, We are frustrated, Mr. Speaker, that to bring Austin home. Debra and Marc Tice, as well as the rest of we still can’t confirm with any degree Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance his family and loved ones for the pain and un- of certainty Austin’s captors, though of my time. certainty that they have had to endure for over we believe that Syrian President al- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- eight years. Assad’s government has within its self the balance of my time for the pur- Eight years. power and influence to see to Austin’s pose of closing. Mr. Speaker, that is over 2,920 days that release, despite denials of detaining Today’s resolution calls for the im- Austin’s mother has had to go without hearing him. mediate release of American citizens his voice, holding his hand, or seeing his face. This is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, who Austin was born and raised in my home- Austin was not a combatant, not a have been unjustly held in Syria. It is town, Houston, Texas. He is the oldest of seven siblings, a former threat to al-Assad’s regime, and yet he time the Assad regime heeds our calls U.S. Marine, and his lifelong dream was to be- had to endure the terrible fate of im- and works with the U.S. Government come an international correspondent for NPR. prisonment without acknowledgment. to secure their return home. It is no secret that the risk of arrest, abduc- Austin, who proudly served our coun- I have been a critic of the Assad re- tion, or death make journalism extremely dan- try as an officer in the United States gime in all the years I have been in gerous and difficult in Syria. Marine Corps, deserves better, and his Congress, which is 32 years. The Assad In fact, according to Reporters Without Bor- parents, Marc and Deborah Tice, who regime has been brutal with its own ders, Syria is ranked 174th out of 180 coun- have tirelessly fought for answers, de- people, has murdered so many of its tries in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index. serve better. own people, and I know that Mr. In 2020 alone, Reporters Without Borders Today we are going to send a mes- MCCAUL will remember not so long ago, has documented the killings of 40 journalists sage to the Syrian Government that on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and 3 media assistants as well as the impris- the United States of America has not someone smuggled in a bunch of photo- onment of 260 journalists, 122 citizen journal- forgotten about Austin Tice and that graphs that were taken in Syrian pris- ists, and 12 media assistants in Syria. we will not give up on him. ons. They were horrific and reminded Last year, I joined 122 Members of the Today we are here, and we are going one of the 1930s and 1940s with the House of Representatives and over 50 Sen- to stand up and fight for someone who genocide in Europe. ators in a bipartisan letter to the President, de- put himself in the face of danger to It is time the Assad regime heeds our manding that his Administration act to facilitate make sure that we always knew the calls and works with the U.S. Govern- Austin’s release from Syria.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:28 Dec 04, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K03DE7.073 H03DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE H6090 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 3, 2020 With that letter and this resolution, I am Whereas Trevor Reed’s defense team was (8) expresses support to the family of once again calling on the Department of State, denied access to additional video evidence Trevor Reed and commitment to bringing the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for from the police vehicle and police station Trevor Reed home. that had the potential to prove his inno- Hostage Affairs, and other U.S. government The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- cence; ant to the rule, the gentleman from entities to engage with Syria for the purpose Whereas the police officers claimed emo- of securing Austin’s safe release. tional and physical damages, but did not sus- New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- From serving in Afghanistan and Iraq as a tain any visible injury, or claim any time tleman from Texas (Mr. MCCAUL) each Marine to working as a journalist dedicated to missed from work; will control 20 minutes. delivering vital news to the American people, Whereas the Constitutional Supreme Court The Chair recognizes the gentleman Austin Tice spent his life giving back and of the Russian Federation and the Second from New York. showing up for this country. Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction GENERAL LEAVE concurred that Russian procedural law was Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- Now we need to do the same for him and violated in the way that Trevor Reed’s bail bring him home. was revoked; imous consent that all Members have 5 I am honored to be a leader on this resolu- Whereas the United States Embassy in legislative days in which to revise and tion, and I wish to thank my colleague and Moscow has filed complaints with the Rus- extend their remarks and include ex- good friend from Texas, Representative AL sian Foreign Ministry regarding denial of traneous material on H. Res. 1115. GREEN, for his leadership on this resolution. communications with Trevor Reed; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I urge all Members on both sides of the Whereas during the trial, the defense coun- objection to the request of the gen- aisle to join me in voting for H. Res. 17, ‘‘Ex- sel presented 59 minutes of traffic camera tleman from New York? video that showed the police car— pressing Concern over the Detention of Austin There was no objection. (1) did not change direction or leave its Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Tice, and for other purposes.’’ lane; self such time as I may consume. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The (2) did not swerve; and Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support question is on the motion offered by (3) did not stop or slow down; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Whereas, on July 30, 2020, Golovinsky Dis- of H. Res. 1115, calling for the imme- ENGEL) that the House suspend the trict Court Judge Arnout read a verdict that diate release of Trevor Reed. rules and agree to the resolution, H. dismissed all defense evidence, witnesses, I would like to thank my colleague, Res. 17, as amended. and government experts and included infor- Mr. CONAWAY, for introducing this bi- The question was taken; and (two- mation from the investigator’s case files partisan resolution. thirds being in the affirmative) the that were not discussed or read into the In 2019, U.S. citizen and former Ma- court files; rules were suspended and the resolu- rine Trevor Reed traveled to Russia. Whereas the judge sentenced Trevor Reed While on his trip, Moscow’s Police tion, as amended, was agreed to. to 9 years in prison camp and was ordered to The title of the resolution was pay 100,000 rubles to each police officer for Service detained and held Reed for over amended so as to read: ‘‘A resolution moral and physical injuries; a year. On July 30, 2020, Reed was con- expressing concern over the detention Whereas Trevor Reed had already been de- victed of trumped-up assault charges of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, tained in Russia for 1 year at the time of the and sentenced to 9 years in a Russian and for other purposes.’’. judge’s verdict; and prison camp. A motion to reconsider was laid on Whereas, the United States Ambassador to During his sham of a trial, Mr. Russia, John Sullivan, upon Trevor’s sen- the table. Speaker, traffic camera footage dis- tencing, stated that the prosecution’s case proved the charges, and even the Rus- f and the evidence presented against Mr. Reed sian judge laughed at the prosecution’s were ‘‘so preposterous that they provoked CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE laughter in the courtroom’’, the conviction absurd attempts to provide evidence. RELEASE OF TREVOR REED and sentence were ‘‘ridiculous’’, and ‘‘justice Despite this, Trevor Reed’s defense Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to was not even considered’’: Now, therefore, be team was denied access to additional suspend the rules and agree to the reso- it— video footage from the police vehicle lution (H. Res. 1115) calling for the im- Resolved, That the House of Representa- and station that could have provided tives— further proof of his innocence. mediate release of Trevor Reed, a (1) expresses support for Trevor Reed, Paul United States citizen who was unjustly While it is no surprise that Putin and Whelan, and all prisoners unjustly impris- his cronies didn’t conduct a fair trial, sentenced to 9 years in a Russian pris- oned in the Russian Federation; it is appalling that Trevor is being held on, as amended. (2) condemns the practice of politically The Clerk read the title of the resolu- motivated imprisonment in the Russian Fed- without medical treatment during a tion. eration, which violates the commitments of global pandemic and being denied con- The text of the resolution is as fol- the Russian Federation to international obli- sular access and communication with lows: gations with respect to human rights and the his family. rule of law; H. Res. 1115 not only calls for the im- H. RES. 1115 (3) urges the United States Government, in mediate release of Trevor, but ex- Whereas United States citizen Trevor Reed all its interactions with the Government of presses support for all unjustly de- is a resident of Granbury, Texas, and a the Russian Federation, to raise the case of tained prisoners in Russia and urges United States Marine Corps veteran; Trevor Reed and to press for his release; Whereas Trevor Reed traveled to Moscow (4) calls on the Government of the Russian U.S. officials to raise Trevor’s case dur- to visit his girlfriend on May 16, 2019; Federation to immediately release Trevor ing all interactions with the Russian Whereas Moscow’s Police Service detained Reed and all other prisoners arrested for po- Government. The resolution also de- Trevor Reed on August 16, 2019; litical motivations; mands that Russia provide the regular Whereas Trevor Reed was accused of grab- (5) urges the Government of the Russian consular access and proper medical bing the arm of the police officer driving the Federation to provide unrestricted consular care afforded to Trevor through the Vi- vehicle and elbowing another officer while en access to Trevor Reed while he remains in enna Convention. route to the police station, causing the vehi- detention as required under the Vienna Con- Again, I thank Mr. CONAWAY for his cle to swerve and therefore endangering the vention on Consular Relations; lives of the police officers; (6) calls on the Government of the Russian commitment to bringing Trevor, a fel- Whereas the United States Embassy in Federation— low Texan, home. Moscow has filed numerous diplomatic com- (A) to provide Trevor Reed any necessary Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to plaints with the Russian Foreign Ministry medical treatment and personal protective support this measure, and I reserve the regarding Trevor Reed being denied consular equipment; balance of my time. access, communications, medical treatment, (B) to notify the United States Embassy in Mr. MCCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield family visitations, and other violations of Moscow of any medical problems or com- myself such time as I may consume. the Vienna Convention on Consular Rela- plaints that arise during his detention; and Mr. Speaker, Trevor Reed is a 29- tions; (C) to provide the United States Embassy year-old Texas resident and former Whereas Trevor Reed’s defense team pre- in Moscow with full access to all of Trevor sented video evidence from traffic camera Reed’s medical records; United States Marine who served his footage to the courts that disproves the po- (7) urges the Government of the Russian country with distinction. He was an lice officers’ statements of supposed Federation to respect Trevor Reed’s univer- Eagle Scout and a Texas Rangers fan, a endangerment and wrongdoing; sally recognized human rights; and dedicated son and brother.

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