Expressing Concern Over Detention of Austin Tice

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the story of Austin Tice's disappearance and presumed imprisonment is tragic and frustrating.

I met with Austin's loving parents, Marc and Debra, last year in my office, where they told me about the heartbreaking details of his abduction in 2012 at a checkpoint near Damascus on his way to Beirut.

Hearing about Austin, I knew I had to do what I could to try and help, just like these other Members who have spoken earlier. So, with the Tices sitting in my office, I called upon the help of my Syrian- American friend and constituent, Paul Jallo. I put Mr. Jallo on speakerphone as we brainstormed with Marc and Debra as to how we could navigate the treachery of this situation on the ground in Syria.

Paul vowed to enlist the assistance of his family and friends living in Damascus to try and garner critical information as to Austin's current location and the identity of his captors. I cannot thank and commend Paul enough for his continued efforts to help the Tices in this ongoing endeavor to determine the status of Austin's well-being.

We are frustrated, Mr. Speaker, that we still can't confirm with any degree of certainty Austin's captors, though we believe that Syrian President al-Assad's government has within its power and influence to see to Austin's release, despite denials of detaining him.

This is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Austin was not a combatant, not a threat to al-Assad's regime, and yet he had to endure the terrible fate of imprisonment without acknowledgment. Austin, who proudly served our country as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, deserves better, and his parents, Marc and Deborah Tice, who have tirelessly fought for answers, deserve better.

Today we are going to send a message to the Syrian Government that the United States of America has not forgotten about Austin Tice and that we will not give up on him.

Today we are here, and we are going to stand up and fight for someone who put himself in the face of danger to make sure that we always knew the truth of what went on in Syria and continues to go on.

Please join me in supporting this resolution and sending a powerful message.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source