The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S6050-S6051 on June 3, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 167--A BILL COMMENDING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED
THEIR PERSONAL FREEDOMS TO BRING ABOUT DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED, WOUNDED, OR IMPRISONED, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TIANANMEN SQUARE MASSACRE IN BEIJING, CHINA
FROM JUNE 3 THROUGH 4, 1989
Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Graham, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Coburn, and Mr. Webb) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 167
Whereas freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion are fundamental rights that all people should be able to possess and enjoy;
Whereas, in April 1989, in a demonstration of democratic progress, thousands of students took part in peaceful protests against the communist government of the People's Republic of China in the capital city of Beijing;
Whereas, throughout the month of May 1989, the students, in peaceful demonstrations, drew more people, young and old and from all walks of life, into central Beijing to demand better democracy, basic freedoms of speech and assembly, and an end to corruption;
Whereas, from June 3 through 4, 1989, the Government of China ordered an estimated 300,000 members of the People's Liberation Army to enter Beijing and clear Tiananmen Square
(located in central Beijing) by lethal force;
Whereas, by June 7, 1989, the Red Cross of China reported that the People's Liberation Army had killed more than 300 people in Beijing, although foreign journalists who witnessed the events estimate that thousands of people were killed and thousands more wounded;
Whereas more than 20,000 people in China were arrested and detained without trial, due to their suspected involvement in the protests at Tiananmen Square;
Whereas, according to the Department of State, the Government of China has worked to censor information about the massacre at Tiananmen Square by blocking Internet sites and other media outlets, along with other sensitive information that would be damaging to the Government of China;
Whereas the Government of China has continued to oppress the people of China by denying basic human rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, and suppressing minority groups;
Whereas, during the 2008 Olympic Games, the Government of China promised to provide the international media covering the Olympic Games with the same access given the media at all the other Olympic Games, but denied access to certain internet sites and media outlets in attempts to censor free speech;
Whereas the Department of State Human Rights Report for 2008 found that the Government of China had increased already severe cultural and religious suppression of ethnic minorities in Tibetan areas and the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, increased the persecution of members of Falun Gong, Christians from China, and other religious minorities, increased the detention and harassment of dissidents and journalists, and maintained tight controls on freedom of speech and the Internet;
Whereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2009 stated, ``The Chinese government continues to engage in systematic and egregious violations of the freedom of religion or belief, with religious activities tightly controlled and some religious adherents detained, imprisoned, fined, beaten, and harassed.''; and
Whereas the China Aid Association reported that in 2007, there were 693 cases in which Christians from China were detained or arrested and 788 cases in which Christian house church groups were persecuted by the Government of China: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms and, in the case of the people who demonstrated at Tiananmen Square in 1989, sacrificed their lives and freedom to--
(A) bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China; and
(B) gain freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion for the people of China;
(2) expresses its sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned due to their involvement in the peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989;
(3) condemns the ongoing human rights abuses by the Government of China;
(4) calls on the Government of China to--
(A) release all prisoners that are--
(i) still in captivity as a result of their involvement in the events from June 3 through 4, 1989, at Tiananmen Square; and
(ii) imprisoned without cause;
(B) allow freedom of speech and access to information, especially information regarding the events at Tiananmen Square in 1989; and
(C) cease all harassment, intimidation, and imprisonment of--
(i) members of religious and minority groups; and
(ii) people who disagree with policies of the Government of China;
(5) supports efforts by free speech activists in China and elsewhere who are working to overcome censorship (including censorship of the Internet) and the chilling effect of censorship; and
(6) urges the President to support peaceful advocates of free speech around the world.
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a true American hero, Army Sergeant Schuyler Patch of Owasso, OK, who died on February 24, 2009 serving our Nation in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Schuyler was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in the Illinois National Guard, based out of Kewanee, IL.
Schuyler enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in March 2005, and volunteered to deploy in 2006 to Afghanistan. In November 2007, he transferred to the Illinois Army National Guard and volunteered a second time to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was killed alongside four of his fellow Soldiers, when their vehicle was hit by an IED while on a joint patrol with the Afghan National Security Forces. Schuyler leaves behind his father John Patch of Illinois and mother Colleen Stevens of Owasso, Oklahoma. He also leaves behind a sister, Amber Patch and two brothers, Garrett and Seth Patch.
Schuyler was a selfless and courageous Soldier committed to this country and its freedom. His mother, Colleen, said that he died doing what he loved to do; making a difference in the world. She also expressed his love and care for the Afghan children while he was in Afghanistan. Schuyler's sister, Amber said, ``He loved everything about the Army and he believed in everything he was doing over there.'' His aunt, Julie Morland said, ``We are all very proud of him for even going over the first time and then volunteering to go over. It takes a special person to even join the Guard in the first place. To go there and fight as a volunteer, it takes a special person.''
On Schuyler's online Guest Book, I read through some of the things said about his life and character.
Schuyler's cousin wrote, ``Schuyler was not only brave, he was caring and never afraid to show his love for family and friends. A hello was never complete until he gave those he loved a hug . . . the world will be a sadder place without this fun loving, vibrant, kind, generous young man who always made me smile.''
Another friend wrote, ``He was a great guy and no one that ever knew him will ever forget him. He is sadly missed and that smile of his will never be forgotten.'' Schuyler's mom Colleen also talked about his incredibly warm smile that will be forever in her mind.
A fellow soldier wrote, ``I was proud to have served with [Patch] in Afghanistan in 2006-2007. He was a good guy and liked to make the best of the situation.''
A friend wrote, ``We will all miss him and we all love him very much. He was the kind of guy who could cheer you up on your worst day and the most outgoing person I'll ever know. Thank you Schuyler for all the great memories we had and thank you so much for serving to protect all of us. I love you.''
Captain Jon Prain, a National Guard chaplain who spoke at his funeral, summed up Schuyler's life well when he said, ``He heard freedom's call. He paid freedom's price, so that we all might enjoy the benefits of freedom . . . He was, and always shall be, an American soldier.''
Schuyler lived a life of love for his family, friends, and country. He will be remembered by many for his contagious smile and warm, affectionate personality. I am honored to pay tribute to this true American hero who volunteered to go into the fight and gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his life for our freedom.
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