{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=154", "Booker Joins Bipartisan Call Urging Obama to Speak Out on Hong Kong", "2014-10-09", "2014", "2014-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Cory Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 9, 2014\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., today joined a bipartisan group of 21 senators in calling on President Obama to speak out publicly in support of the people of Hong Kong and their right to full democracy.\nIn their letter to the President, the senators state: \u201cThe people of Hong Kong should be applauded and supported for their remarkable courage and determination despite extraordinarily challenging circumstances.\u201d The senators also urged the Administration to \u201ctake demonstrable, meaningful steps to help ensure that Beijing maintains its commitments to the people of Hong Kong.\u201d\n\u201cHong Kong\u2019s young people have demonstrated enormous potential as change agents and deserve our support as they seek to transform their region through the power of democracy,\u201d said Sen. Booker. \u201cAs peaceful protestors have demonstrated throughout our own nation\u2019s history, their actions can be the force that inspires positive change. I applaud their relentless commitment and hope that we will engage in productive dialogue to support this movement.\u201d\nBooker was joined by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Marco Rubio, R-Fla, Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Richard Burr, R-N.C., Ben Cardin, D-Md., Bob Casey, D-Penn., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Al Franken, D-Minn., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Carl Levin, D-Mich., Mary Landrieu, D-La., John McCain, R-Ariz., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., John Thune, R-S.D., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.\nBelow is the full text of the letter:\nOctober 9, 2014\nThe Honorable Barack Obama   The White House   Washington, DC 20500\nDear President Obama:\nWe write to you regarding the United States\u2019 policy towards Hong Kong.\nAs democratically elected members of the United States Senate, we strongly support the Hong Kong people's aspiration for universal suffrage and full democracy.  Hong Kong\u2019s economic prosperity and position as Asia\u2019s \u201cworld city\u201d is rooted in fundamental rights, including freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, and the press.\nThe people of Hong Kong should be applauded and supported for their remarkable courage and determination despite extraordinarily challenging circumstances in recent days.  The \u201cUmbrella Movement\u201d has shown the world the inspirational power of free expression in defense of the basic right to choose one\u2019s leaders freely.  In the wake of the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s public threats and the recent physical attacks against peaceful demonstrators, we encourage you to speak out personally in support of the Hong Kong people\u2019s democratic aspirations.\nThe United States and Hong Kong have enjoyed a strong relationship with close cultural, economic, and financial ties for over two centuries.  We believe that at this critical time it is appropriate and necessary for the United States to help advance universal suffrage, full democracy, and the rule of law in Hong Kong:\n\u00b7This December marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong would be governed by \u201cOne Country, Two Systems\u201d until at least 2047.  At the request of the People\u2019s Republic of China and the United Kingdom, the United States expressed support for the Joint Declaration as an instrument of international law.\n\u00b7The United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 [P.L. 102-383] states that it is United States policy to help preserve Hong Kong\u2019s unique status and to support democratization in Hong Kong.  As you know, the Act also authorizes you to suspend trade and economic provisions should Beijing not provide sufficient autonomy for Hong Kong as outlined by the Joint Declaration.\nBeijing\u2019s backsliding on its commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration poses a significant threat to Hong Kong\u2019s position as a center of international trade and finance and adds to concerns about China\u2019s commitment as a responsible participant in the international system.  Over the past week, the people of Hong Kong have reminded the world what is at stake.  We urge you and your administration to take demonstrable, meaningful steps to help ensure that Beijing maintains its commitments to the people of Hong Kong.\nSincerely,\nSenator Cory Booker   Senator Patrick Leahy   Senator Roger Wicker   Senator Marco Rubio   Senator Barbara Boxer   Senator Richard Burr   Senator Ben Cardin   Senator Bob Casey   Senator Thad Cochran   Senator John Cornynv   Senator Ted Cruz   Senator Dianne Feinstein   Senator Al Franken   Senator Lindsey Graham   Senator Jim Inhofe   Senator Carl Levin   Senator Mary Landrieu   Senator John McCain   Senator Jeanne Shaheen   Senator John Thune   Senator Elizabeth Warren", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.booker.senate.gov?p=press_release&id=154"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9975580032914877, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}