A resolution commending the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China and expressing sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6050)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 3, 2009

Commends the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms and, in the case of the people who demonstrated at Tiananmen Square in June 1989, sacrificed their lives and freedom to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Expresses sympathy for the families of those who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned due to their involvement in the peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square.

Condemns the ongoing human rights abuses by the PRC.

Calls on the Government of the PRC to: (1) release all Tiananmen Square prisoners; (2) allow freedom of speech; and (3) cease intimidation and imprisonment of religious monitories and those who disagree with PRC policies.

Supports efforts by free speech activists in China and elsewhere.

Urges the President to support peaceful advocates of free speech around the world.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · R–OK

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

12 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 3, 2009
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6050)
Jun 3, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6050-6051)
Jun 3, 2009
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jun 3, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

SRES 171 · A resolution commending the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China and expressing sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989.

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.167 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.167, 111th Congress: A resolution commending the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China and expressing sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-resolution/167

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-06-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/sres167/BILLS-111sres167is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.167 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.167 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.167, 111th Congress: A resolution commending the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China and expressing sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-resolution/167

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-06-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/sres167/BILLS-111sres167is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.167 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.167 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.167, 111th Congress: A resolution commending the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China and expressing sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-resolution/167

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-06-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/sres167/BILLS-111sres167is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.167 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.167 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.167, 111th Congress: A resolution commending the people who have sacrificed their personal freedoms to bring about democratic change in the People's Republic of China and expressing sympathy for the families of the people who were killed, wounded, or imprisoned, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China from June 3 through 4, 1989.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-resolution/167

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-06-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/sres167/BILLS-111sres167is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.167 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.