Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), my good friend. I appreciate his work on this and for calling this Special Order together tonight. Once again, it is the time of year where I have the somber privilege to come to the floor and extend happy birthday wishes to Chinese human rights defender and prisoner of conscience, Zhu Yufu. What should be an occasion for celebration remains marred by the fact that, on February 13, Zhu Yufu will spend his 65th birthday in a Chinese prison. This will mark his seventh consecutive birthday behind bars, another birthday separated from his family and children. Although isolated, Zhu is certainly not forgotten. He has been a fervent champion for human rights in China for decades. He gives voice to a very fundamental and foundational principle: all people everywhere should have the basic freedom to determine the course of their lives and express themselves according to their convictions without fear of government repression. For living out that conviction, he languishes in a Chinese prison in poor health and with irregular access to medical care. Stifling voices like Zhu's does not silence their cry nor weaken their cause. On the contrary, it shines a light on their plight and renews and strengthens the effort to end repression and injustice in China, as well as in other places around the world.…”