[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  OBSERVING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

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                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2014

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
observance of International Women's Day, March 8--recognized by the 
United Nations. Today, we celebrate the social, political, economic, 
cultural and intellectual achievements of women around the globe. The 
United Nations' theme for this year's international recognition--
``Equality for women is progress for all''--emphasizes empowerment of 
women and women's full enjoyment of human rights and stresses the vital 
role of women as agents of change in our society. Today, courageous 
women like Bui Thi Minh Hang need our immediate attention.
  Two years ago on this occasion, I stood on the House floor 
recognizing and advocating for Ms. Hang, who was sentenced without 
trial for participating in peaceful protests related to the Eastern 
Sea. She was eventually released but face ongoing harassment from the 
Vietnamese authorities. Recently, Ms. Hang and her friends were 
brutally beaten and unlawfully detained while on their way to visit a 
former prisoner of conscience. It has been almost one month and Ms. 
Hang is still detained without any due process for ``obstructing 
traffic''. I am once again recognizing Ms. Hang for her ongoing efforts 
to for social and political issues in Vietnam. Ms. Hang has inspired 
many Vietnamese women, youth and fellow human rights activists.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join 
me in recognizing International Women's Day and women like Bui Thi Minh 
Hang who are advocating for freedom and democracy in their communities, 
and call on governments like Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally 
release Bui Thi Minh Hang and all prisoners of conscience.

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