Sam Brownback: “I rise to introduce a joint resolution for myself and Senator Kyl regarding the United States' commitment to preserving…”

“I rise to introduce a joint resolution for myself and Senator Kyl regarding the United States' commitment to preserving freedom in Hong Kong. It is not simply the responsibility of the United States, but also of the Administration of Tung Chee Hwa, Hong Kong's chief executive and the People's Republic of China. This resolution emphasizes an isolated event taking place on July 9 of this year--the passage of draconian laws on sedition, subversion, and theft of state secrets. This law evokes something out of one of the novels of George Orwell. Just as the resolution states, the law, as now drafted, is vague and overly broad in its definitions of subversion, sedition, and official secrets. The Secretary of Security, an appointee of the Government of the People's Republic of China, would have very broad authority to ban organizations not approved by his Beijing masters. Nothing less than the survival of the Catholic Church in China and the Falun Gong, a quasi-religious practice that emphasizes breathing and meditation, are at stake with this law. Beijing has clearly targeted these and many other groups promoting democracy and human rights. In addition, the Secretary of Security would have the authority to waive the right to notice and the right to be heard--something that person could execute on a whim.”