Title: Expressing concern over the detention of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, and for other purposes.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses concern about the capture and detention of journalist Austin Tice near Damascus, Syria. It encourages the Department of State, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and other U.S. government entities to engage with Syria to facilitate Tice's safe release.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 17 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 17

  Expressing concern over the detention of Austin Tice, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2019

   Mr. Green of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the 
 Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing concern over the detention of Austin Tice, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas Austin Tice is a 37-year-old veteran, having served in the Marine Corps 
        as an infantry officer, a Georgetown law student, and a graduate of 
        Georgetown University, from Houston, Texas;
Whereas Austin is an Eagle Scout, National Merit Scholarship finalist, and 
        eldest of seven children;
Whereas Austin was a contributing freelance journalist to McClatchy Newspapers, 
        the Washington Post and other media outlets and a recipient of the 2012 
        George Polk Award for War Reporting;
Whereas, in May 2012, Austin crossed the Turkey-Syria border to report on the 
        intensifying conflict in Syria;
Whereas, on August 11, 2012, Austin celebrated his 31st birthday in Darayaa, 
        Syria;
Whereas, on August 14, 2012, Austin departed for Beirut, Lebanon, was detained 
        at a checkpoint near Damascus, Syria, and contact with family, friends, 
        and colleagues ceased;
Whereas, in late September 2012, a video clip appeared on YouTube showing Austin 
        blindfolded and being prodded up a hillside by masked militants;
Whereas in the more than 2,300 days since Austin's disappearance, no group has 
        claimed responsibility for his capture;
Whereas the Syrian government has never acknowledged detaining Austin and has 
        denied the same to Austin's parents;
Whereas officials of the United States believe Austin is alive and the 
        government of Bashar al-Assad or a group affiliated with it is holding 
        him;
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 Government, 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; and
Whereas, on November 13, 2016, United States Special Presidential Envoy for 
        Hostage Affairs, Robert C. O'Brien, said that the United States 
        Government believes Austin Tice is alive: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its ongoing concern regarding the capture of 
        Austin Tice near Damascus, Syria, in August 2012, and his 
        continuing detention;
            (2) encourages the Department of State, the intelligence 
        community, and the interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to 
        jointly continue investigations and to pursue all possible 
        information regarding Austin's detention;
            (3) encourages the Department of State and the Special 
        Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to engage directly with 
        officials of the Syrian government to facilitate Austin's safe 
        release and return;
            (4) encourages the Department of State to work with foreign 
        governments known to have diplomatic influence with the 
        Government of Syria; and
            (5) requests that the Department of State and the 
        intelligence community continue to work with and inform 
        Congress and the family of Austin Tice regarding efforts to 
        secure Austin's safe release and return from detention in 
        Syria.
                                 <all>