[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      IN SUPPORT OF WEI JINGSHENG

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 1997

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues today in 
submitting a Congressional Record statement on behalf of Mr. Wei 
Jingsheng, a Chinese dissident and political prisoner.
  Mr. Jingsheng's book, ``The Courage To Stand Alone: Letters from 
Prison and Other Writings,'' was scheduled for publication yesterday. I 
would like this statement to stand as support for Mr. Jingsheng, his 
fight for freedom of speech, and for the cause of democracy in China 
today. Eighteen years of prison confinement have not caused him to 
waver in his quest for freedom. In the face of relentless attacks, his 
spirit remains unbroken.
  He has endured unlawful imprisonment, by China's own standards, for 
expressing his belief in democracy for China. He is allowed to be 
tormented by his prison cellmates, his mail has been confiscated, his 
reading material is censored, and he is barely permitted to see his 
family. His lengthy and torturous prison term has led to the severe 
deterioration of his physical health. He is in dire need of medical 
attention which the Chinese Government continues to deny to him. This 
oppression and injustice must stop.
  I urge the Chinese Government to reconsider its actions and treatment 
against Mr. Jingsheng. I urge my colleagues to join with me and speak 
out against the abuses being suffered by Mr. Jingsheng. Let us not turn 
a blind eye to the plight of Wei Jingsheng and others like him in the 
world who believe in the promise of democracy. The end to this 
suffering will only come when we, as a collective, consistently speak 
out against the violation of human rights throughout the world.

                          ____________________