On the recordNovember 12, 2019
I want to recognize my equal partner in this Special Order, my very good friend from Texas, Representative Al Green. Representative Green represents the parents and, for that matter, the place where Austin Tice, the person about whom we are speaking today, was born. He and I have partnered because Austin Tice, though born in Texas, moved to the District of Columbia. Like many in the House and Senate, we have grave concerns about Austin Tice and want to express those concerns and call upon those who are keeping him in Syria to let him go. Mr. Speaker, I can't say enough about how strongly bipartisan this matter is--bipartisan, yes--and bicameral. There are dozens upon dozens of Members of the House and the Senate who have written the President to ask him to do all he can to bring Austin Tice home from what we believe is captivity in Syria. Despite the difficulties our country is having, as I speak, with Syria, this, we believe, is not a lost cause. In fact, we are encouraged that there are Americans who Syria has let come home. Sam Goodwin is one. Canadian Kristian Baxter is another. So we do more than hold out hope that we can bring Austin Tice home. So, let me explain who Austin Tice is and why he has attracted such concern and interest in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.…
