dr. richardson for her comments now. >> mr. smith, mr.lf, thank you very much for having this hearing this afternoon, and for your extraordinary, tenacious leadership on these issues. i think it is not an accident that chen wanted to speak you in particular. i want to start with one premise, which is that if chinese government was serious that its commitments to human rights and rule of law, we wouldn't be having these conversations again and again and again, which does not suggest we are not habit of this discussion with you but i think the fact that 30 years into reform and opening up in 20 years after tiananmen, we're still discussing these issues, is a partial statement about the choices the chinese leadership has made with respect to political reform and the rule of law. to paint a broad picture, year in and year out we continue to document gross abuses, and use the death penalty, disappearances, restrictions on the freedoms of religion and association and assembly. i think chen's case in particular highlights some of the worst abuse

dr. richardson's speech. these are people who are living in china but have the technical sadness to climb the wall. over this belief at how this could have happened, overwhelming anger and betrayal. for 6 days, the us embassay, five characters are magic words for many chinese. china is a big country. the one island, safe haven, called us embassay were so overjoyed, so miraculous, and yet we dropped the ball so terribly. we allowed this to happen. i am not going to comment on how it happened because others spoke very eloquently. we also have to remember and understand that what chen guangcheng represents for so many chinese, he went to the village, got robbed. got lost their jobs. chen guangcheng as a blind man is a source of light. i mean this literally. he represents the bravery that is on short supply in china. he lives in the poorest village. he did not go to school until he was 18. he is blind. where on earth do you find such a man? tell me. he is the symbol and the soul. for him, we must understand the l

dr. richardson and dr.horowitz because i think following a twitter chinese community these are people who are living in china but not the technical savvy to climb all and reactive on twitter. i want to give them a little idea i want you to know because it is of utmost importance now but what are the reactions at the embassy with. over a billion this believe left on how this could have happened. overwhelming anchor and the sense of the trail. now for six days, five characters in chinese and the u.s. embassy, five directors for six days and for many chinese, is a big country and the one ireland one calls the u.s. embassy was so overjoyed that he got they're come a miracle. we joked the ball that we allow this to happen. i'm not going to comment on how it happened because others already spoke eloquently. we have to understand what chen guangcheng represents from so many chinese, strangers who went after the chinese medicine, went to the village, got robbed, but lost their job, lost their house afterwards and e

dr. richardson's speech. these are people who are living in china but have the technical sadness to climb the wall. --savvyness to climb the wall and are active on twitter. it is important to know the reactions after the left the embassy. over this belief at how this -- overwhelming this belief as to how this could have happened, overwhelming anger and betrayal. for 6 days, the us embassay, five characters are magic words for many chinese. china is a big country. the one island, safe haven, called us embassay were so overjoyed, so miraculous, and yet we dropped the ball so terribly. we allowed this to happen. i am not going to comment on how it happened because others spoke very eloquently. we also have to remember and understand that what chen guangcheng represents for so many chinese, he went to the village, got robbed. got lost their jobs. lost their house afterwards and they were breathing such harsh punishment for doing nothing wrong. why? they love him. chen guangcheng as a blind man is a source of ligh

dr. richardson and dr.s 2012 consultation, and i thank you for your kind words, leadership, and partnership, and, of course, for your prayers. i need the prayer. the president needs your prayers. please keep them coming. we also thank the members of the support of the national black churches and congressional black caucus for here today and your work in bringing us all together and bringing renewed attention for the need to protect or talk about the day of the voting rights of every eligible citizen. it's a pleasure to be a part of this discussion to be among so many friends, allies, and dedicated leaders. i'm grateful, in particular, for the opportunity to include the important work that the people in this room are doing each day, who all across the country, enrich our communities and improve our lives. since it's official establishment in 2009, these efforts have reached more than 10 million people, and in partnership with the congressional black caucus, a group over the past 40 years, established itself

dr. richardson, dr. burton, in opening this 2012 consultation. i will thank you all for your kind words, for your leadership, for your partnership, and for your prayers. i need your prayers. the president need your prayers. please keep them coming. we also thank the members and supporters of the conference of the national black churches and the congressional black caucus is here to support the work you are doing today, and to bring renewed attention to the need to protect voting rights of every eligible citizen. and to pledge to be part of this discussion and to be -- it is a easure to be part of this discussion and to be among friends and allies. i am grateful to be part of the work that the people in this room are doing each day to enrich our communities and our lives. since its establishment in 2009, cnbc's efforts have reached many people. and over the past 40 years it has is that was itself as the conscience of congress. and that is true, the conscience of congress. you have a powerful force for change. together, you are not only providing a

dr. sief franklin richardson and the president jacki oie burton. we appreciate the partnership that we've had. it is important for me to say that the idea and the push to get this partnership developed and to have members of the clergy to come to washington so that we can present them with information came from congressman charles rangel. and for a period i did even hide from him on the floor because he was going to say, rev, how are we coming with the conference. is everything on target? and we in the congressional black caucus believe that charles b. rangel is the epitome. he is the consummate congressman. and we are all pleased and fortunate to just have the opportunity to sit at his feet and to learn from him. almost 41 years ago, 13 members who were of congress who were african-american came together and formed the congressional black caucus. and among those 13 was the gentleman to my left, charles rangel. and for over 40 years now, charlie rangel has been one of the leading voices of reason and one of the leading voices for peace and justice

dr. moses is with us. commissioner linda richardson is with us also. of the things that is significant -- i mentioned that reverend dyson is the first woman ordained in the baptist church in san francisco, in 1982. it is also very significant that this year -- we should also be aware this is the 160th anniversary of three of the leading religious institutions in the african american community. the zion church, of bethel, and third baptist will all be celebrating their 160th anniversary this year. these churches were established two years after san francisco was established. thank you for joining us. [applause] the other thing i would like to speak briefly on is the fact that we celebrate black history month annually. black history month was started under the auspices of the association for the study of african american life and history. it was designed as a time when we highlight the contributions and roll african americans have played in society in general, and the world at large. recently, there was a movie that was screened that i have the privilege

dr. seiyu franklin richardson and the president burden we appreciate the partnership that we have. [applause] and it is important for me to say that the idea and the push to get this partnership developed and have members of their group come to washington so we can present them with information and comes from congressmen rangel, and four -- [applause] -- for a period i did even hide from them hand even on the floor because he was going to say how recovered with the conference? is everything on target? we in the congressional caucus believes that charles b. rangel as the consulate congressman and we are all pleased and fortunate to just have the opportunity to sit at his feet and learn from them. almost 41 years ago, 13 members who were african american came together and formed a congressional black caucus. and among those 13 was the gentleman to my last, charles rangel. and for over 40 years now, charlie rangel has been one of the leading forces of reason and one of the reading forces for justice and peace in the house of representatives. and you know, i think he is an historical f