[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CITIZENSHIP FOR GAO ZHAN

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I want to discuss the 
tragic story of Gao Zhan. Gao Zhan is a United States lawful permanent 
resident and American University faculty fellow who is currently being 
detained in China on charges of espionage. On February 11, 2001, while 
visiting relatives in China, Dr. Zhan and her family were arrested on 
espionage charges. The Chinese authorities did release Gao Zhan's 
husband and child, both United States citizens, after being separated 
for a month. The child, the little boy, is 5 years old. However, Gao 
Zhan remains in detention.
  There has been no contact with her since she was arrested over 4 
months ago. All attempts to locate Gao Zhan have failed. The United 
States embassy in China and other United States officials as well as 
attorneys from both the United States and China have tried to locate 
the whereabouts of Gao Zhan. The Chinese government has refused to 
share any information.
  I have introduced H.R. 1385, which grants Gao Zhan citizenship in the 
United States without her being administered the oath of renunciation 
and allegiance. This bill is critical since Gao Zhan is being held 
against her will in China and the law provides different treatment to 
United States citizens than it does to United States lawful permanent 
residents.
  Congress needs to confer this citizenship on Gao Zhan. She is one who 
needs to be reunited with her family.

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