[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE PASSING OF FRANK WONG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 1998

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mourn the passing of a great 
American, a man dedicated to the democratic principles that are at the 
very foundation of our country. Frank Wong died on March 9th after 
suffering a stroke. He was 79.
  Mr. Wong founded the Chinese Democracy Education Foundation in San 
Francisco 13 years ago and was instrumental in coordinating protests 
and other activities in the Bay Area after the 1989 Tiananmen Square 
massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing. He was instrumental 
in the effort to bring the Goddess of Democracy, a replica on the 
statue created by the student protesters, to Portsmouth Square in 
Chinatown soon after the massacre. He also hosted many of the student 
dissidents who came to the United States as political refugees after 
the tragedy.
  Mr. Wong was born in China in 1919, and came to the United States in 
the 1940's to study at New York University. His heart, however, was 
never far from his homeland, and inspired by the freedoms he enjoyed in 
this country, he returned to China to become the editor of a Chinese 
newspaper. His return would not be an easy one. The Chinese Communists 
were in control, and his ideas for a free and open society ran counter 
to the prevailing powers. In 1957, Communist Party officials had him 
arrested for his pro-democracy position and advocacy for human rights. 
He was sentenced to three years in a re-education forced labor camp.
  After his release from prison, Frank Wong came back to the United 
States. Despite his hardship, his belief in the freedom of the human 
spirit could not be shaken. He remained committed to the principles of 
democracy and human rights in China. The Chinese Democracy Education 
Foundation is dedicated to promoting these values, and since its 
inception has given out 40 awards to individuals and groups which have 
worked towards achieving these goals.
  As one who had the privilege of working with Frank, I was always 
impressed by his courage, dedication to democratic ideals and his 
gentle manner. It is with great regret and respect that I extend my 
deepest sympathy to Frank's wife, his children Eric and Joyce and his 
five grandchildren.

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