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

<DOC>
H. Res. 17

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      December 3, 2020.
Whereas Austin Tice is a 39-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 years 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 being held in 
        Syria and that the Syrian government should assist in locating and 
        returning Austin to his family;
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;
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;
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 acknowledged 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 Special Presidential Envoy 
        for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens publicly stated, ``The U.S. 
        Government is in frequent contact with the Kamalmaz family to provide 
        support and information'' and that ``Bringing home Majd, along with all 
        U.S. citizens held hostage or wrongfully detained 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 prisoners forcibly held within its prison system 
        and to allow access to the same facilities for investigations by 
        appropriate international human rights organizations: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its ongoing concern regarding the capture of Austin 
        Tice in August 2012 and Majd Kamalmaz in February 2017, and their 
        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 
        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 influence 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 secure their safe release and return from detention in Syria.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.