Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
Floor Speech
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey, my good friend, for yielding, and I have to thank him for his decades of service and leadership here for free expression and for liberty in Hong Kong.
I was moved by the Speaker's tribute and appreciate her 30 years of work there. I thank Mr. Engel for his leadership, and, of course, my good friend from California, who now is controlling the time for the majority.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.
For 6 months, we have witnessed Hong Kong citizens protest for their right to live in a free and fair political system, an expectation they fully have. Over the last several weeks, we have witnessed the government become increasingly violent as it cracks down on protests. It is sad to see death and destruction come to this beautiful and energetic place.
For three decades, I have traveled to Hong Kong and witnessed their innovative spirit and their extraordinary work ethic. In fact, Hong Kong was the model for the post-World War II Asian Tiger growth and prosperity now shared across the region. When a proponent of welfare statism queried progrowth economist Melvyn B. Krauss, ``But how many Hong Kongs can the world have?'' the professor responded, ``As many as the world will allow itself.''
The 7 million citizens of Hong Kong are looking to us for a voice and for leadership, and with today's vote, we will deliver. I call on President Trump to sign this important measure into law with expediency and show the world that America supports the people of Hong Kong, their right to free expression, and their democratic governance guaranteed under the five-decade arrangement agreed to in 1997 by the People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Smith for his leadership, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure.
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