[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3745-S3746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               MARC FOGEL

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to share a few words in honor 
of the 62nd birthday of Marc Hilliard Fogel, an American currently 
imprisoned in Russia.
  Marc is an American schoolteacher, a father, a husband, and an uncle. 
And in August of 2021, after living and teaching in Russia for 9 years, 
Marc was arrested and sentenced to 14 years in Russian prison. His 
imprisonment is unjust and unacceptable, plain and simple.
  I recently met with Marc's family, who currently reside in Montana, 
and I would like to honor his birthday today by taking the time to 
share some of what they shared with me as they work tirelessly to bring 
him home.
  Marc is a dedicated partner to his wife Jane, an inspiring dad to his 
two sons Sam and Ethan, and a caring son to his 94-year-old mother 
Malphine. He is a committed brother to his sisters Anne and Lisa and an 
uncle to Anne's three children. He is a sports fanatic, a fan of Steely 
Dan, an avid reader, a passionate teacher, and a world traveler. If you 
talk to his family, they will tell you about his infectious 
personality, his love for learning and teaching, and his dedication to 
community. He devoted his life to children, and was steadfast in 
guiding his students to learn, grow, and think independently. And 
today, he is marking his 62nd birthday not with his loved ones, but in 
Russian prison.
  As we approach the second anniversary of Marc's detention, it is our 
duty to use all the tools at our disposal to bring Marc home. This 
week, I introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for his immediate 
release, and I am

[[Page S3746]]

here today to strongly urge the Biden administration to prioritize 
securing his release and the State Department to designate him as 
``wrongfully detained.''
  The unjust imprisonment of Marc Fogel has gone on far too long. Now, 
we must do everything in our power to ensure this innocent American is 
reunited with his loved ones, so he can spend his next birthday--and 
many after--surrounded by family.
  Happy Birthday, Marc. We will keep working to get you home.

                          ____________________