On the recordFebruary 12, 2025
Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the release of Pennsylvania schoolteacher Marc Fogel from Russian custody. For more than 3\1/2\ years, Marc, a dedicated teacher, loving husband, and an American citizen, was unjustly detained in a Russian penal colony. His punishment of 14 years of hard labor was an excessive and politically motivated sentence. Despite years of bipartisan pleading with the Biden administration to bring Marc home, or at the very least designate him as wrongfully detained, there was no progress. Enter Donald J. Trump. In just 22 days, President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and a team of advisers successfully negotiated Marc's release. Mr. Speaker, Marc Fogel is now back on American soil and reunited with his family. Promises made, promises kept. I thank all of those involved in bringing Marc home. ____________________
