Ellen Keelan, center, and other family members rally July 15 outside the White House for the release of Marc Fogel, who has been detained in Russia since August 2021. “He’s just one of the best people that I know. And he doesn’t deserve this. He’s been there for two years now. In my mind, that’s much longer than he deserved to begin with,” Keelan said. Associated Press

Stephanie Scarbrough

Three elected officials from Pennsylvania introduced a bipartisan resolution in both the U.S. House and Senate on Wednesday, July 26, calling for the immediate release of Butler native Marc Fogel from a Russian prison.

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly, R-16th and Chris Deluzio, D-17th, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., were among those who introduced the resolution.

Fogel, 62 — until Friday — had been living and working as a teacher in Russia since 2012. He was detained on a return trip in August 2021 for carrying about one-half ounce of medical marijuana, which was prescribed for chronic pain.

Marc Fogel. Submitted photo

The resolution urges the Biden Administration to prioritize securing Fogel’s release.

“Anything that reminds people of his name is a boon to us,” said Marc Fogel’s mother, Malphine Fogel.

Kelly also mentioned support for the Fogel family as a goal of the resolution.

“This legislation not only reinforces our support for Mr. Fogel, but it also expresses our deepest sympathy for Marc’s mother, Malphine Fogel, who is my constituent and whom I have met with personally as we work to bring Marc home,” Kelly said.

Marc Fogel’s sister, Anne Fogel, read a message from her brother at a rally for his release on July 15 in Washington, D.C. Malphine said he called her during the rally, and could hear the cheers from the crowd.

“I want to thank you all for your love, prayers and help through this calamity,” Marc Fogel said. “It is truly a nourishment for mind, body and soul. Please remember to express your support and empathy to my amazing family. I pray, hope and beg to keep the faith every day.”

Deluzio and Casey each also said they will continue pushing for Marc Fogel’s freedom.

“I am concerned that he is living in abysmal and harsh conditions that could threaten his health,” Deluzio said. “We have got to bring Marc home.”

On June 27, U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th, introduced legislation that would require more transparency from the U.S. State Department to Congress regarding how it determines who has been wrongfully detained in a foreign country; informally known as the Marc Fogel Act.