; Whereas the Tices have appeared at forums and panels discussions on the threats facing journalists around the world, including one during the week of April 4, 2016, at Georgetown, Austin's alma mater; Whereas the couple has promoted an online petition urging the U.S. Government to ramp up efforts to bring their son home; Whereas nearly 270 newspapers and media organizations have highlighted the journalist's case on their Web sites as a result of the Tices’ efforts; Whereas according to the Houston Chronicle, the Obama administration first confirmed they spoke with Syrian officials about Austin’s case sometime in 2015, though they denied visiting or seeing Austin, as had been initially reported by the French newspaper Le Figaro; and Whereas, on April 8, 2016, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Austin remains a focus of the administration’s diplomatic efforts, often working through Czech officials who serve as intermediaries between the United States and the Syrian Arab Republic governments: Now, therefore, be it