{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://cole.house.gov/hong-kong-illustrates-human-desire-democracy", "Hong Kong Illustrates Human Desire for Democracy", "2014-10-13", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "More than 238 years ago, brave Americans understood the value of a democracy marked by unique freedoms and liberties for its people. Less than a hundred years later in the midst of a civil war that threatened to dissolve the Union, President Abraham Lincoln again inspired our nation to preserve government \u201cof the people, for the people and by the people.\u201d And we did.\nOur democratic society has since caused others across the world to recognize the innate desire of mankind to be free. The existence and endurance of our great nation has created an even greater hunger for democracy in countries with oppressive governments. In recent days, we\u2019ve seen this illustrated through the situation in Hong Kong that has led to pro-democracy student protests against the Chinese government\u2014causing the world to remember a similar pro-democracy revolt at Tiananmen Square in 1989. \u00a0\nFor much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Hong Kong was occupied by Great Britain and thus operated under British rule. Upon expiration of the British lease in 1997, however, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese control with the understanding that the region could continue operating somewhat free and independently for 50 years. Unfortunately, with the Hong Kong elections set for 2017, the Chinese government has told voters in the region that their candidates must be pre-approved\u2014a move that violates the region\u2019s supposed autonomy and right to choose its own leaders until 2047. In response, peaceful protests started at the end of August and then led to the students boycotting class in late September and instead filling the streets. \u00a0\nAfter thousands recently took to the streets to demand freedom, this temporarily brought with it a glimmer of hope when the central government agreed to engage in talks with the protestors last Friday. Unfortunately, the Chinese government backed out of the planned talks, causing protestors to fill the streets once again.\u00a0\nChina\u2019s totalitarian system is brutal and repressive. Unlike the citizens of the United States, citizens of Hong Kong do not enjoy the right to peaceably assemble, express thoughts contrary to the official doctrine of the government or demonstrate in support of such rights. And while the United States is obviously supportive of pro-democracy efforts around the world and our hope for the young leaders of Hong Kong\u2019s democratic movement is strong, we have neither the authority nor pressing national interest to do more than lend our moral support.\u00a0\nStruggles like those we are witnessing in Hong Kong should serve as a reminder that freedom is as fragile as it is precious. The rights we enjoy as Americans were secured by the blood and courage of our founders who understood that certain things were worth pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to achieve and defend. As desirable as it may be to have the citizens of Hong Kong win their freedom by the stroke of a pen, Americans know it is rarely, if ever, that simple.", 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": ["http://cole.house.gov/hong-kong-illustrates-human-desire-democracy"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.84698386490345, "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"}