04-R 205

2004 -- H 8459

Enacted 04/27/04

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING XU WENLI AND WANG YOUCAI AND PROCLAIMING APRIL 27, 2004 TO BE "RHODE ISLAND DEMOCRACY DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Dennigan, Kilmartin, Shavers, E Coderre, and Ajello

Date Introduced: April 27, 2004

     WHEREAS, The Democracy under which the citizens of this state and our nation enjoy a

multitude of freedoms should be celebrated and reaffirmed by all Rhode Islanders. People from

every walk of life must take time to educate, promote awareness, and take inspiration from the

countless sacrifices and lives lost protecting the ideals of freedom and liberty; and

     WHEREAS, "Rhode Island Democracy Day" is a day to ensure remembrance, lest we

ever forget, that not all people or all nations enjoy the abundance of liberties and choices we

Americans hold so dear. Such is the case in China, where young people, who seek to promote

democracy within their government, are often jailed and at times brutally killed; and

     WHEREAS, Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai were active in the democracy movement in

China, a country that has vehemently opposed such dissent. The efforts of these two men include

participation in the tragic events of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest, where hundreds of

student protesters were killed or jailed. Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai's activities culminated in

imprisonment for their involvement in promoting democracy during that time; and

     WHEREAS, In January of 2003, Xu Wenli was released from prison by China's

government and made his way to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he and his wife He Xintong,

joined their daughter, a teacher at Moses Brown in Providence. He had been jailed for eleven

years for taking part in the "Democracy Wall" movement and then served another five years, in

solitary confinement, for helping to establish the China Democracy Party. During his harsh

imprisonment he contracted hepatitis and suffered severe malnutrition. Xu is currently a senior

visiting fellow at Brown University, sharing his intimate knowledge of China with students in

various forums; and

     WHEREAS, After serving an 11-year sentence as a political prisoner, Wang Youcai

recently arrived in Rhode Island. to join his friends and family and begin a new life. Wang had

been jailed for his work in establishing the Democracy Party along with Xu Wenli; and

     WHEREAS, These two men stand as definitive examples of ordinary men who became

heroes trying to ensure and promote the ideals of freedom, liberty and pride for their nation. The

immense sacrifices and the countless lives lost, in the valiant attempt to gain and promote

democracy in China is noble and commendable, and these men are truly worthy of our praise and

recognition; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 27, 2004 to be "Rhode Island Democracy Day."

We urge the citizens of Rhode Island to celebrate and rejoice in the rights and privileges we are

all fortunate to possess and enjoy; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby honors and commends Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai for their

passionate and noble efforts on behalf of democracy and human rights. We wish them good

health, fulfillment and much success in all of their future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Xu Wenli and Wang Youcai.

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LC03260

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