With levels of anti-Semitic hate, threats and violence high in many countries, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, announced that he will convene a hearing to examine “Anti-Semitism Across Borders.” Smith authored the provisions of law that created the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism and the Special Envoy to lead it in 2004. “Anti-Semitism is an ancient and persistent hatred that must be fought until it is defeated. We must be...
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This afternoon, in front of a large crowd of Ethiopian citizens concerned about repression in their homeland, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) convened a hearing to look at the appalling human rights record of the Ethiopian government and discuss what could be done to help those who are suffering at the hands of this regime. “According to the State Department’s newly released Human Rights Report on Ethiopia, security forces killed ‘hundreds’ in the context of using excessive force against protestors in ...
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-Chairman of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, delivered the follow remarks this afternoon at the Heritage Foundation: China’s population control policies are the longest-running and most far-reaching violations of human rights the world has ever seen. Since 1979—first through the “one-child policy” and now through a “two-child policy”—the government of China has sanctioned state-sponsored violence and massive discrimination against women and child...
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Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country and oldest independent state, plays a key leadership role in the region and on the continent. They are an important partner in the War on Terror, but also a source of growing concern over their human rights record. Recently, government forces have killed as many as 100 Oromo demonstrators. Thursday's hearing, announced by Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-04) and entitled “Democracy Under Threat in Ethiopia,” will allow for a discussion of the restrictions ...
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Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) addressed members of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) March 5 to discuss national and international issues related to Jewish-Americans, including terrorism and threats of terror, Iran and foreign affairs, as well as human trafficking, Alzheimer's, autism, Lyme disease and other legislative and human rights issues for which Smith is a leader in Congress. AJC Executive Director David Harris ran the event and praised Smith's tireless work on anti-Semitism issues d...
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Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Rep. Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), who each represent portions of the Jersey shore, today wrote to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seeking assistance for the Tibet Women’s Soccer team—a registered charity in the state of New Jersey and in India—which is attempting to visit the U.S. at the time of an international soccer tournament in Dallas. The entire team was recently denied U.S. entry visas. “Tibet Women’s Soccer does such good work with refugee girls who have experienc...
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Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) was interviewed Friday, March 3 by award-winning journalist Larry Mendte, host of Jersey Matters. They spoke about numerous federal issues and initiatives and laws Smith works on in Washington, such as Lyme disease, autism and human rights laws such as the Goldman Act and International Megan's Law, both laws with New Jersey origins. The show covers news, politics, and current events within the Garden State. It is on the air every Saturday at 5 p.m. and is rebroadc...
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Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), joined by other members of the Bi-Partisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, today held a press conference to bring attention to the worrying number of bomb threats, attacks and other anti-Semitic activity taking place across the United States. Along with Smith, attendees included Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Eliot Engel (D-NY). “Jewish women and men comprise less than 2% of the U.S. population,” said Smith, co-Chair of the Task...
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, joined with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today to underscore how the Communist Party in China continues to ignore agreements made 15 years ago when they joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). The rejection of these commitments, which included key steps towards rectifying the horrible human rights record of China, show that the increased commercial connections have not encouraged the party to follow the ...
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Today, Rep. Chris Smith delivered the following remarks on the House Floor: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give additional recognition to the tireless advocacy of the staff and volunteers of the American Heart Association, as well as the organizations in my home state of New Jersey and across the country and to mark the end of American Heart Month. Their ongoing efforts to combat the leading cause of death among men and women are essential, this month, and every month. On...
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