LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chen Guangcheng upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Champion of Free Speech Award by the
Visual Artists Guild and Confucius Plaza

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Chen
Guangcheng upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Champion of Free Speech Award by the Visual Artists Guild and Confucius
Plaza on Saturday, June 1, 2013; and
WHEREAS, This fine event will take place at the New York Annual Tian-
anmen Commemoration Award Ceremony at the Chatham Square Restaurant in
Chinatown, New York City; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Chen Guangcheng was named one of the Time 100,
TIME'S annual list of "100 men and women whose power, talent or moral
example is transforming our world"; the citation stated, "He may have
lost his sight as a child, but Chen Guangcheng's legal vision has helped
illuminate the plight of thousands of Chinese villagers"; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Chen Guangcheng was part of the Visual Artists
Guild's eight Prisoners of Conscience; rallies and conferences were held
to highlight his case and demand justice, and actor Christian Bale
accompanied a CNN crew into Chen Guangcheng's hometown to visit him
during his house arrest and was beaten; and
WHEREAS, Christian Bale has referred to Chen Guangcheng as a "giant
among men"; in April 2012, he escaped from his home and sought refuge
from the US State Department; Chen Guangcheng was able to leave China
with his wife and two children, and since May 19, 2013, he has resided
in New York as a visiting scholar; and
WHEREAS, Chen Guangcheng is the recipient of the Human Rights First's
Award, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize, and the China Aid Religious
Freedom and Rule of Law Defenders Award; he won the Ramon Magsaysay
Award while still in detention; he has received Honorary Membership at
the New York City Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Chen Guangcheng upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Champion of Free Speech Award by the Visual Artists Guild and
Confucius Plaza; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chen Guangcheng.