Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently led a weeklong fact-finding mission abroad to assess national security and intelligence-related matters, to help negotiate the release of American citizens held in overseas prisons, and to solidify essential relationships with U.S. counterparts and strategic partners.
“The United States stands as a beacon of democracy and freedom, and it is incumbent upon all elected officials to uphold our obligation to promote democracy through strength and peace and ensure the safety of our nation and citizens,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said in an Aug. 9 statement. “I am determined to continue this mission by fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations with our international allies that safeguard our national and global security.”
As chairman of the National Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the congressman held a series of intelligence meetings from July 12-17 in Liberia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Germany.
The congressman’s mission was to conduct official oversight and gain an understanding about the regional dynamics and stability impacts related to U.S. missions in Africa, focusing on power competition, foreign mineral exploitation, human rights violations, governance, and historical and religious considerations, according to his staff.
During the trip, Rep. Fitzpatrick met with numerous government and security officials, including Liberian Foreign Minister Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti; Liberian Minister of State Sylvester Grigsby; Nigerian National Security Advisors; and Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Rep. Fitzpatrick also met with Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen currently detained in a Nigerian prison.
“I met with government officials, military leaders, security officials, and Tigran Gambaryan,” said the lawmaker. “I requested our embassy work swiftly to secure his immediate release.”
Acting as a surrogate in negotiations, Rep. Fitzpatrick on July 19 also assisted in the release of another American detained in DRC custody.
“Today, I am proud to share we have brought that young American home and extend my thanks to the Congolese officials for their cooperation and collaboration in ensuring this safe release,” he said on Friday.
“While we celebrate this victory, our work is far from over,” added the congressman. “There are still Americans, like Tigran, enduring unimaginable trauma in detention around the world, and we will not rest until they are home.”