house resolution no.315

Rep. Manoogian offered the following resolution:

A resolution to call upon the Russian Federation to respect the human and legal rights of and to immediately release two-time Olympic gold medalist and American professional basketball player Brittney Griner from detention in the Russian Federation and urge President Joe Biden to make her safe return to the United States a priority for his Administration.

Whereas, On February 17, 2022, American professional basketball player Brittney Griner, a U.S. citizen, two-time Olympic gold medalist for Team USA, NCAA Champion for Baylor University, and seven-time WNBA All Star center for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow, Russia, as she attempted to board a flight while playing for the Russian professional basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, a team she has  led to four Euroleague Titles and seven Russian League Championships during the WNBA offseason; and

Whereas, The Russian Federation failed to announce their detention of Brittney Griner until March 5, 2022, more than two weeks after the Russian Federal Customs Service had detained her. American consular officials were unable to see her until April 27, 2022, more than two months after her detention; and

Whereas, Brittney Griner has been detained for nearly three months, and a Russian court extended her detention by one month and has denied appeals from her legal team to have her transferred to house arrest; and

Whereas, There have been multiple reports by U.S. authorities that Brittney Griner has been denied consular assistance, which is an essential component of normal diplomatic relations between two nation states; and

Whereas, On May 2, 2022, the United States Department of State emailed a statement to ESPN stating that they have determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained Brittney Griner; and

Whereas, The WNBA issued a statement saying that Brittney Griner "has the WNBA's full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States." This season, the WNBA has emblazoned the league's 12 basketball courts with Brittney Griner's initials and her number, 42; and

Whereas, The State Department is monitoring the situation, but more can be done to secure Brittney Griner's release. She is a global sport icon who engages the world as a track II diplomat through her leadership on and off the court with Team USA at the Olympic Games and in FIBA. She uses the game of basketball both in the United States as a WNBA star for the Phoenix Mercury and abroad to promote inclusion and understanding. It is morally unacceptable that Brittney Griner is being used by the Russian government as a political pawn; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we call upon the Russian Federation to immediately release two-time Olympic gold medalist and American professional basketball player Brittney Griner; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the Russian Federation to provide consular access to Brittney Griner while she remains in detention; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the Russian Federation to respect the human rights of Brittney Griner; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge President Joe Biden to make Brittney Griner's safe return a top priority for his Administration; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, and the Griner family.