ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø President Michael Driscoll has released a statement about the Fogel Report language in the Fiscal Year 24 Minibus bill:
“The Fogel Report language in the final FY24 Minibus bill will help explain why IUP alumnus Marc Fogel has not been declared wrongfully detained by the State Department. Marc and his family deserve this explanation. Marc proudly served America by teaching children of its diplomats for 35 years. America must stand with him,” President Driscoll said.
“Congressman Reschenthaler has relentlessly advocated for Marc, including with this language directed at the State Department. IUP joins the Congressman in continuing to press the administration to do right by Marc. We are most grateful to him for keeping the torch burning until Marc is reunited with his family and the western ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø community.”
Congressman Reschenthaler is a member of the House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee.
Marc Fogel, a native of Butler, is a 1984 social studies education graduate of IUP. He taught history courses at schools attended by children of US diplomats in Colombia, Venezuela, Oman, and Malaysia. The last nine years before his arrest were spent teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow. He has been in Russian custody since August 2021. He turned 62 on July 28, 2023, while in a Russian prison.
About the Fogel Report
The ; the ; the Fogel report language is found on pages 128–129:
The Committee has serious and growing concerns regarding the status of American citizen Marc Fogel, who has been detained in Russia since August 2021. The Committee notes the Department of State has not been able to provide information on why Mr. Fogel has not been classified as wrongfully detained under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (subtitle A of Public Law 116–260). Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees detailing information related to the review conducted by the Department on whether Marc Fogel is wrongfully detained. The information required shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
“On behalf of Marc and the Fogel family, we want to thank Congressman Reschenthaler for including the Fogel Report language in the spending bill that passed last weekend,” Malphine Fogel, Marc Fogel’s mother, said.
“There has been a distinct difference between how Marc has been treated by the US Department of State compared to other Americans similarly detained in Russia. It is important our State Department designate Marc as wrongfully detained or explain why. Marc has been in a Russian prison for two and a half years. My most ardent wish as I observe my ninety-fifth birthday this month is that my son return home and that I see him again. I cannot express how appreciative I am to Congressman Reschenthaler, who has been stalwart in his support of Marc, for sponsoring this language. His kindness to me personally and determination to right this injustice has given faith that Marc and our family are not forgotten by our country.
“IUP President Driscoll and his team, IUP’s Council of Trustees, and the IUP community have stood behind Marc and our family and kept Marc’s plight in the public domain during this long journey that has engulfed us,” she said.
“It has become clear that public support of Marc is an important component in efforts to bring him home and is certainly uplifting to Marc’s spirits, as he is in a prison more than 5,000 miles from his family. During these times of trials, the public and private outreach have helped Marc and our family endure. Your reinforcement with Congressman Reschenthaler is very meaningful. Thank you, Dr. Driscoll and IUP,” Malphine Fogel said.