releases: http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406259
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406259 | Rep. Smith Welcomes Release of NJ Man Held Hostage by Iranian Govt | 2019-12-07 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | NJ | Christopher Smith | S000522 | chrissmith.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today enthusiastically welcomed today's release of Xiyue Wang, a Princeton, NJ graduate student who was taken hostage by the Iranian government while working on an Iranian government-approved research project. In April of 2018, I met Hua Qu, wife of Princeton University grad student Xiyue Wangwho until this week was unjustly incarcerated in Iran's infamous Evin prison, said Smith. Anyone who heard her appeal for her husband's releaseand witnessed her remarkable love for her husbandcould remain silent. She has been a tenacious and effective advocate for Xiyue, Smith said. In a May 11, 2018 letter to President Trump that I conveyed to the White House, Hua Qu said: without your help, Mr. President, I am afraid that nothing will happenOnly you can bring him homemake our family whole again Please, Mr. President, you are our hope and we are counting on you.' Against serious odds, President Trumpand his teamsecured Xiyue's freedom, Smith said. Amidst the joy of this news, we must continue to press hard for the release of the other hostages in Iran including falsely imprisoned father and son Baquer and Siamak Namazi, Smith said. Earlier this week I met a group of relatives including Babak Namazi who is pushing for the release of his dad and brother. PICTURED ABOVE: Rep. Smith meets with Hua Qu in Smith's Hamilton office. The Congressman spoke with Hua today to discuss the news of her husband's release. Smith met with Wang's wife at his Hamilton office. Smith spoke at a Princeton University rally for Wang on May 11, 2018, and later meetings in Washington DC. At a congressional hearing on May 23, 2019, Smith directly asked U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help secure Wang's release. Click here or on CSPAN video link above. He also sent Pompeo a letter in May 2018. Smith thanked all who helped secure Wang's release, including President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, Brian Hook and Robert O'Brien at the State Dept., the Swiss government and others who advocated tirelessly on Wang' s behalf. Smith was asked to get involved by friends of Hua in the Mercer County area. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |