[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1132 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 1132

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         June 24, 2022.
Whereas United States citizen Brittney Griner is a Women's National Basketball 
        Association (WNBA) player;
Whereas Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle, are residents of Phoenix, 
        Arizona, and are well-respected leaders in the community;
Whereas Brittney Griner was raised in Houston, Texas, and many of her family 
        members live in Texas;
Whereas after a prolific collegiate career at her alma mater, Baylor University, 
        Brittney Griner was the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA by the 
        Phoenix Mercury and has played her entire WNBA career with the team;
Whereas during her WNBA career, Brittney Griner has been named the WNBA 
        Defensive Player of the Year twice and a WNBA All-Star seven times;
Whereas Brittney Griner has represented the United States on the women's 
        basketball team twice and earned two Olympic Gold Medals;
Whereas Brittney Griner is also an international figure and has played for the 
        Russian women's professional basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for the 
        past seven years during the WNBA off-season;
Whereas Brittney Griner is a renowned leader in the LGBTQ+ community;
Whereas Brittney Griner has made a difference in the lives of many Arizonans, 
        including through her annual ``BG's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive'' to 
        provide shoes to those experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix 
        community;
Whereas Brittney Griner's efforts have provided shoes to nearly 2,000 Phoenix-
        area residents in need;
Whereas the Phoenix Mercury and the Phoenix Rescue Mission are continuing this 
        important effort in Brittney Griner's absence;
Whereas Brittney Griner was presumably detained by Russian authorities at 
        Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport in Khimki, 
        Russia, on February 17, 2022, accused of carrying vape cartridges with 
        hashish oil;
Whereas Russian authorities opened a criminal case against Brittney Griner 
        regarding the alleged transportation of drugs, which can carry a 
        sentence of up to 10 years;
Whereas, on March 17, 2022, a Russian court denied a request for bail and for 
        house arrest, and has since extended Brittney Griner's detention until 
        June 18, 2022; and
Whereas the Department of State has determined that Brittney Griner is 
        ``wrongfully detained'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately 
        release Brittney Griner;
            (2) urges the United States, in all interactions with the Government 
        of the Russian Federation, to raise the case of Brittney Griner and to 
        press for her release;
            (3) expresses continued support for Paul Whelan and all prisoners 
        unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation;
            (4) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to provide 
        consular access to Brittney Griner while she remains in detention;
            (5) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to respect the 
        human rights of Brittney Griner; and
            (6) expresses support to the family of Brittney Griner and a 
        commitment to bringing her home.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.