Arlen Specter: “It concerns lawyer Liu Jian who represented the defendant in a criminal case. He found that none of the 37 witnesses he…”

“It concerns lawyer Liu Jian who represented the defendant in a criminal case. He found that none of the 37 witnesses he had lined up appeared to testify because of intimidation from the Government. He found himself, a lawyer, in police custody charged with ``illegally obtaining evidence.'' While in custody, he was subjected to beatings and day-long interrogations without food or rest, and he later found his ability to practice law and his license to practice law in jeopardy. It is obviously impossible to have a judicial system that functions without lawyers. The activities of the People's Republic of China have been absolutely reprehensible in this regard. Our resolution calls for relief for Yongyi Song and also calls for an improvement in the judicial system and the treatment of lawyers by the People's Republic of China. Mr. President, this vital legislation would grant Mr. Yongyi Song U.S. citizenship. Mr. Song has been a resident of the United States for the past ten years, has passed his United States citizenship tests, and had been scheduled to be sworn in as a United States citizen in September 1999.”