[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H6887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN SUPPORT OF NAVY LIEUTENANT RIDGE ALKONIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of U.S. Navy 
Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, a sailor currently stationed abroad in Japan. 
While the U.S. and Japanese naval forces have long maintained a strong 
bond, the relationship is deteriorating as a result of Japanese 
injustices against U.S. military members.
  The case of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, who is of American 
Samoan descent, exemplifies the disparate treatment American sailors 
receive in Japan.
  While driving his wife and three children to get ice cream during a 
family outing, Lieutenant Alkonis suffered a sudden and unforeseen 
medical emergency which resulted in a tragic car accident causing the 
death of two Japanese citizens. While indeed a tragedy, this was an 
accident in every sense of the word.
  At the scene of the accident, Lieutenant Alkonis was immediately 
arrested by Japanese authorities, without receiving any medical care, 
and imprisoned. He was systematically deprived of sleep, denied legal 
counsel, and pressured to sign false accusations.
  The Tokyo High Court rejected the majority of evidence submitted by 
Lieutenant Alkonis, and last week, his appeal was dismissed.
  I am deeply troubled by Japan's mistreatment of Lieutenant Alkonis. 
These abuses are hurting the U.S.-Japan alliance exactly when it needs 
to be strengthened.
  I call on President Biden and Ambassador Rahm Emanuel to bring 
Lieutenant Alkonis home.

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