[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 121 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6941-H6942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ADVOCATING FOR LIEUTENANT RIDGE ALKONIS

  (Mr. LEVIN of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express deep 
concern about the Japanese Government's handling of the case of 
Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Yokosuka 
Naval Base.
  In May 2021, Lieutenant Alkonis and his family were on their way home 
from hiking on Mount Fuji. Tragically, Lieutenant Alkonis lost control 
of his vehicle due to acute mountain sickness, causing him to lose 
consciousness. As a result, two bystanders tragically lost their lives.
  Lieutenant Alkonis is remorseful for the medical incident that caused 
the

[[Page H6942]]

events of that day. He has offered $1.65 million in extrajudicial 
restitution to the victims' families, a gesture expected in Japan, but 
far beyond the family's means. Ultimately, Lieutenant Alkonis was 
sentenced this month by the Japanese high court to 3 years in prison.
  I have been extremely upset to learn that the case was not conducted 
in a way that was fair to Lieutenant Alkonis, and that the Japanese 
Government violated the status of forces agreement, which governs the 
treatment of our servicemembers there.
  I understand that our Embassy in Tokyo has been monitoring this case, 
and I strongly urge them to do more to support a servicemember in need.
  My office has been working with the Department of the Navy and the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Lieutenant Alkonis and 
his parents, Suzanne and Derek, throughout this case.
  As I do, the Navy believes that this is the wrong sentence for 
Lieutenant Alkonis. I won't be giving up on Lieutenant Alkonis and the 
Department of Defense must not either.

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