[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TIANANMEN SQUARE SUPPRESSION

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                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, having just returned from a week in 
China with Speaker Pelosi, I am glad to more fully appreciate the 
country's tremendous scope, population, the vast and varied landscape, 
and its rich history. Although the focus was on global warming and the 
environment and the impressive progress China has made to adjust its 
policies, the subject of human rights was never far from the surface.
  In Tiananmen Square I was taken back to the monumental events of 20 
years ago and their tragic conclusion. It is sobering to understand how 
intensely the Chinese government suppresses any mention or image of the 
Tiananmen Square massacre. So much so that today there is virtually no 
knowledge of these events on the part of the young.
  That is why it is so important for Congress to mark this observance: 
to give knowledge to those with no memory and to give hope to those 
that do remember. It is critical that those who risked so much, those 
who died or who were persecuted, are celebrated for their courage. It 
is my hope that one day the Chinese people will have the freedom they 
deserve.

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