In Support of the Safe Return of Austin Bennett Tice

Floor Speech

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Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to Austin Bennett Tice's prolonged captivity in Syria, where he has been held since August 14, 2012; over seven years.

Austin is an American journalist who headed to Syria to work as a free-lance reporter for the McClatchy News Service between his second and third years at Georgetown Law School. A native of Houston, Texas, and a Georgetown alumnus, Austin is an exceptional young man who demonstrated his determination and potential early in life as both an Eagle Scout and a National Merit Finalist.

After graduation from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. As an infantryman, his service included tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. At the time of his capture, Austin sought to ensure that the world understood the tragic situation in Syria. Because of his dedication to our country, we owe this young man every possible effort to affect his release.

Presidential Policy Directive 30, U.S. Nationals Taken Abroad and Personnel Recovery Efforts, clearly commits the Government to working in a coordinated manner and utilizing all instruments of national power to safely recover hostages. We appreciate that commitment and were grateful when the FBI announced last April a $1 million reward for Austin's safe return. We are aware that the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell has been engaged with efforts to secure his release for several years.

Madam Speaker, it has now been over four years since that Presidential Policy Directive was finalized, and we strongly urge the President and State Department officials to personally ensure that the U.S. government galvanizes its efforts and employs all appropriate means to secure this young man's safe and expeditious return to the United States.

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