Asa Hutchinson: “I was quoting from Orvile Schell's ``Mandate of Heaven,'' the background and inspiring story of Wei Jingsheng, who went…”

“I was quoting from Orvile Schell's ``Mandate of Heaven,'' the background and inspiring story of Wei Jingsheng, who went to prison, spent many years in prison, because he dared to say democracy isn't democracy until there is freedom to criticize your elected officials. The headline today in the Washington Time says it all: ``Beijing Government Denies Visas to Three Reporters.'' They do not understand freedom. We need to take a stand in this body to say that the practices and the human rights abuses that continue in China are wrong. If they will say that, we will do what is within our power to truly engage the Chinese, the Chinese government, by confronting them where they are wrong, encouraging them where they are making progress. This administration has done too little. This amendment today can be a step in the right direction. It can be a step in which we take a forthright stand for human rights and convey a message as our President goes, convey a message to the Chinese Government, that human rights are taken seriously in this country, that human rights will not take a back seat to trade. I yield the floor.”