[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2201-E2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 POLITICAL FREEDOM IN CHINA ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 1997

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
H.R. 2358, the Political Freedom in China Act of 1997. This legislation 
puts the U.S. Congress firmly on record as supporting the spread of 
democracy throughout the world.
  This bill contains language authored by Representative Linda Smith 
which expresses the sense of Congress that the Chinese Government 
should be condemned for its practice of executing prisoners and selling 
their organs for transplants. As a cosponsor of Representative Smith's 
House Concurrent Resolution 180, I am glad this language was included 
in this bill. Any Chinese official directly involved in these 
executions and operations should be barred from entering the United 
States. The

[[Page E2202]]

language also urges American law enforcement officials to prosecute 
those who are illegally marketing and selling these organs in the 
United States.
  Mr. Speaker, as a physician I am outraged that people have reportedly 
paid as much as $30,000 for the kidneys of executed prisoners at 
People's Liberation Army medical facilities. Chinese prisoners are 
being killed for profit and this outrage must stop.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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