Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, this week, the Nobel Committee will award its annual Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese human rights advocate Liu Xiaobo, but at the ceremony the chair reserved for Liu will be empty as he is serving 11 years in prison for peacefully petitioning his government for basic human rights. Earlier this year, I was proud to join my colleagues on the Human Rights Commission in nominating Liu for the Nobel Peace Prize. Even now, the Chinese Government is censoring the news of this award and is calling for a boycott of the award ceremony. Sadly, some nations have bowed to the wishes of the Communist government. I am particularly grieved to hear that Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Iraq will not send representatives to the ceremony. These nations should know exactly what it is like to have basic human rights denied by an autocratic government. It is not too late to defy the bullying and intimidation from those who have imprisoned a peaceful man. I call on all nations to recognize the peaceful struggle of Liu Xiaobo, a man who has no hatred even for those who have denied him and his people basic freedoms, of this distinguished honor. ____________________”