•HRES 17 EH 
Whereas in the years since Austin’s disappearance, no group 
has claimed responsibility for his capture; 
Whereas the Syrian government has never acknowledged de-
taining Austin and has denied the same to Austin’s par-
ents; 
Whereas officials of the United States believe Austin is alive 
and being held in Syria and that the Syrian government 
should assist in locating and returning Austin to his fam-
ily; 
Whereas Austin Tice’s parents, Marc and Debra Tice, have 
been diligent in their efforts to find their son, repeatedly 
meeting with senior officials of the United States Govern-
ment, the Syrian government, the United Nations, and 
many others; 
Whereas the Tices have traveled to the Middle East multiple 
times, most recently in December 2018, seeking Austin’s 
safe release, and Debra Tice spent four months living in 
Damascus, Syria, for the same purpose; 
Whereas the Tices have partnered with Reporters Without 
Borders to launch campaigns with nearly 270 newspapers 
and media organizations, highlighting Austin’s case in 
their publications and on their websites; 
Whereas institutions and organizations, including Georgetown 
University, Georgetown Law Center, the National Press 
Club, the Committee to Protect Journalists, McClatchy, 
and the Washington Post, have collaborated to raise and 
maintain public awareness of Austin’s detention; 
Whereas, on November 18, 2018, then-United States Special 
Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Robert O’Brien, 
said that the United States Government believes Austin 
Tice is alive;
•HRES 17 EH 
Whereas at a press briefing on March 19, 2020, President 
Trump expressed concern for Austin and called on the 
Syrian government to release him; 
Whereas Majd Kamalmaz is a 62-year old Syrian-American 
psychotherapist, father of four, and resident of Texas; 
Whereas Majd is a well-known mental-health professional 
with experience in disaster relief and post-traumatic care; 
Whereas in February 2017 Majd traveled to Syria to visit an 
elderly family member and aid civilians traumatized by 
the Syrian civil war; 
Whereas on February 16, 2017 Majd’s family received word 
that he had been detained at a checkpoint on his way to 
Ghouta, outside of Damascus, Syria; 
Whereas since February 2017 Majd’s family has not heard 
from him; 
Whereas the Syrian government has never publicly acknowl-
edged detaining Majd; 
Whereas Majd’s family and the Syrian-American community 
have advocated tirelessly for his immediate release; 
Whereas in July 2020, United States Ambassador and Spe-
cial Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger 
Carstens publicly stated, ‘‘The U.S. Government is in fre-
quent contact with the Kamalmaz family to provide sup-
port and information’’ and that ‘‘Bringing home Majd, 
along with all U.S. citizens held hostage or wrongfully de-
tained abroad, has the attention of the highest levels in 
the U.S. government.’’; and 
Whereas, as described in the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection 
Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note), Congress calls on the 
regime of Bashar al-Assad to release all political pris-
•HRES 17 EH 
oners forcibly held within its prison system and to allow 
access to the same facilities for investigations by appro-
priate international human rights organizations: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses its ongoing concern regarding the cap-
ture of Austin Tice in August 2012 and Majd Kamalmaz 
in February 2017, and their continuing detention; 
(2) encourages the Department of State, the intel-
ligence community, and the interagency Hostage Recov-
ery Fusion Cell to jointly continue investigations and to 
pursue all possible information regarding Austin and 
Majd’s detention; 
(3) encourages the Department of State and the 
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to engage 
the Syrian government to facilitate Austin and Majd’s 
safe release and return; 
(4) encourages the Department of State to work 
with foreign governments known to have diplomatic in-
fluence with the Syrian government; and 
(5) requests that the Department of State and the 
intelligence community continue to work with and inform 
Congress and the families of Austin Tice and Majd 
Kamalmaz to the extent possible regarding efforts to se-
•HRES 17 EH 
cure their safe release and return from detention in 
Syria. 
Attest: 
Clerk.