Sheila Jackson Lee: “I include in the Record a press statement from my office. [Press Statement from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Aug.…”

“I include in the Record a press statement from my office. [Press Statement from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Aug. 4, 2022] Washington, DC.--Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee condemns the Russian Court System for their egregious sentencing of Brittney Griner. Today Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian Court. This decision comes after the House passage of H. Res. 1132 ``Calling for the immediate release of Brittney Griner, a citizen of the United States, who was wrongfully detained by the Government of the Russian Federation in February 2022.'' ``If I have to beg for mercy for the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan myself, I am prepared to do so,'' explained Rep. Jackson Lee. Brittney Griner grew up in Houston, Texas, was a collegiate All American star basketball player at Baylor University where she won a national championship, won two Olympic gold medals as the leader of the U.S. national basketball team, and is a WNBA superstar playing for the Phoenix Mercury based in Arizona. Prior to being held captive by the Russian government for several months before having charges brought against her Griner played in the Russian leagues in the United States' WNBA off season. On May 3, 2022, the United States Government declared Brittney Griner unlawfully detained and immediately moved her case to the Department of State under hostage negotiation. The U.S.…”