{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bipartisan-resolution-expressing-concern-over-detention-austin", "House Passes Bipartisan Resolution Expressing Concern over the Detention of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz in Syria", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 On Thursday, December 3, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement announcing the passage of H.Res. 17, expressing concern over the detention of Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz:\n\n\u201cEight years ago, in concert with Marc and Debra Tice, I embarked on a mission of mercy to bring their son, Austin Tice, home. Austin, a veteran Marine Corps Captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained at a checkpoint near Damascus, Syria, on August 14, 2012 while working in the country as a freelance journalist,\u201d Congressman Al Green stated. \u201cAustin is an Eagle Scout, college grad, law student, and award-winning journalist. He\u2019s the eldest of seven children. He is an American, and it is our nation\u2019s duty to ensure his safe return.\u201d\n\nCongressman Green continued, \u201cThe valiant effort to ensure Austin\u2019s return to the United States is a team effort. This has been and continues to be a bipartisan and bicameral endeavor. I have collaborated with Members of Congress and Senators on both sides of the aisle to work toward bringing Austin home. I have written to President Trump regarding the urgency to bring Austin home safely. This resolution, H.Res. 17, reiterates my ongoing concern for Austin and amplifies the call for the release of Dr. Majd Kamalmaz, another American detained in Syria. We cannot rest until Austin, Majd, and all missing Americans are located and safely return to the United States to their families.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe families of both Mr. Austin Tice and Dr. Majd Kamalmaz have called on American and international leaders to bring home their loved ones. It is our duty to do whatever we can to ensure that these and all other Americans held abroad are returned safely and as soon as possible,\u201d said Congressman French Hill (R-AR). \u201cI am proud and grateful for the work of many Americans and others across the globe to ensure their safe passage home and urge continued diligence. Our work will not be complete until all Americans are reunited with their families and loved ones.\u201d\n\nAustin\u2019s parents, Marc and Debra Tice, released a statement on the passage of H. Res. 17, \u201cOur family is profoundly grateful to our Congressman, Al Green, for his tireless, 24/7 work to bring Austin home. We also deeply appreciate his dedicated staff and many individual supporters whose involvement led to the passing of this resolution. Over these more than eight years, it has been a tremendous blessing to see the bipartisan, bicameral support across Capitol Hill on Austin\u2019s behalf. It is especially encouraging since this resolution supports President Trump\u2019s repeatedly expressed desire and commitment to Austin\u2019s secure release and safe return. We earnestly believe we can have Austin home for the holidays. H.Res.17 sends a clear message that the House of Representatives joins us in urging the President to continue the dialogue with the Syrian government and take the necessary action to bring Austin and Majd home.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bipartisan-resolution-expressing-concern-over-detention-austin"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0254411026835442, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}