Calling for the Release of Austin Tice

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for more than her kind words. I thank her for her many years of service here in the House of Representatives. She has acquitted herself as a Congressperson par excellence: Yale, M.A.; Yale, L.L.B.; in Congress for, lo, these many years, yet not able to vote as other Congresspeople do.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the gentlewoman and I will see the day that she will cast that first vote. I thank her for all of her endeavors. I especially thank her for what she is doing for Austin Tice.

The Tice family, Marc and Debra, are the equivalent of family with me. I have known them for many years now. I know how sincere they are with the efforts to bring their son home.

I know of their trips to Lebanon. I know that they have corresponded with people that some of us might not find suitable for such correspondence. But because they want their son, they are willing to talk to anyone who has intelligence that might lead to his return.

I know that they have made a difference in the lives of others who have friends, relatives, children, if you will, captured because they have worked with the State Department to help fashion protocols. They have worked with two Presidents. They want their son home, but they also want to see justice for all persons who are being held captive.

Their son, Austin, is an all-American lad, at 38 years of age now. I am 71. Anybody under 71 is young to me.

He is an all-American person, if you will. Yes, he has served his country in the military. Yes, he was an Eagle Scout. Yes, he did attend Georgetown, Georgetown Law, as a matter of fact. Yes, he was a freelance journalist.

He was one of those persons who would dare to go to distant places, dare to risk life and limb so that we might know the truth about circumstances in places where the eyes of cameras do not pierce.

Yes, he was a person who had the courage, intestinal fortitude, to go into Syria without the consent of the government. I wish he hadn't done it, but I understand why he did it. I understand that he wanted to let people know about the conditions.

I am not sure that he went with preconceived notions, but I am sure of this: that he would tell the truth, that he would present the truth, that we would know the truth, whatever that truth might be.

I regret that he has been held captive now for some 7 years. He truly is a great American.

But more than this, for me, he represents the son I never had. I have no children. But if I had a son, I would want him to be like Austin Tice. I would want my son to have the courage to not measure his life by days and years, not measure his life by heartthrobs, passions, and tears. I would want my son to use the truest measure under God's Sun, and that is, what for others in your lifetime have you done?

Austin Tice was trying to help somebody. He wasn't there to help himself. He wanted to help others. That is the kind of son I would like to have, a courageous person who would dare to go where others dare not, a person who understood the risk but also understood the need.

Sometimes people like this have to stand alone, but they know that it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.

He is a hero. I miss him. His parents miss him. This country misses him.

I would ask that those who can reach the proper authorities in Syria--perhaps it is the President. Perhaps there are people who can get to the President. But I would ask that you would send this message: As a gesture of goodwill, let Austin Tice come home. As a gesture of an attempt to span some chasms that have been created, let us bring Austin Tice back.

This could be the genesis of something bigger than we know, giving Austin Tice his freedom.

I can tell you this: There are some Members of Congress who will be appreciative. There are American people who won't forget it. And there is an opportunity available to mend some fences.

I pray that this word will get to the appropriate authorities.

Mr. President, if this word gets to you, I would have you know that I am the kind of Congressperson who is willing to come to Syria. I am willing to come and be there to thank you and to welcome Austin Tice back into the hands of an agent of the United States Government.

This is a great opportunity. I beg that we take advantage of it.

Mr. and Mrs. Tice, I want you to know that we have not given up. We will not give in. We want Austin returned, and we will do everything, and we will leave no stone unturned, until this takes place.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source