***************************************************************** IFCSS Headquarters News Release 407 November 27, 1992 DINNER PARTY HELD IN HONOR OF SENATOR GORTON ***************************************************************** Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars (IFCSS) 733 15th Street, N.W., Suite 440, Washington, D.C.20005 Tel. (202)347-0017 Fax: (202)347-0018 Email: ifcss@wam.umd.edu Dinner Party Held in Honor of Senator Gorton ============================================ In the evening of Nov., 24th, Chinese students and Chinese Americans in Seattle held a dinner party in honor of Senator Gorton, sponsor of the Chinese Student Protection Act. The party started at 7:00 p.m.. Mr. Dong Liqun, IFCSS Council member, introduced the guests, among whom were Senator Gorton, his former staff member Curtis Hom and his current legislative assistant John Kelly, both having played an important role in pushing S1216 through the U.S. Congress. Mr. Luo Ping, ex-member of the IFCSS Council and the chief organizer of the party, made the opening remarks. He expressed thanks to Senator Gorton, all those who had helped with the bill, and those who had to make the party a success. Haiqing Shao, chairman of IFCSS Student Affairs Committee, gave a speech. He looked back at the IFCSS legislative efforts in the past three years and pointed out that Senator Gorton had not only helped us with this bill, but also been supportive of our other efforts related to human rights. Haiqing Zhao expressed heartfelt thanks to Senator Gorton and his staff. Geng Xiao, IFCSS president, spoke highly of the significance of the passage of S1216 and renewed the pledge on behalf of the Chinese students to continue working for human rights and a democratic China. Geng Xiao presented a plague to the Senator in appreciation of his support of China's democratic cause. Finally, Senator Gorton himself made a speech. He said that he regarded S1216 as one of the best achievements during his term as the U.S. Senator. He predicted that with this bill, the Chinese students studying in the U.S. would be in much better position to work for both the U.S. and China. He concluded that these students would constitute the bridge for two great nations in the future. The president of the Chinese American Trade Council in Seattle also spoke at the party. The party was a great success. About two hundred Chinese students and scholars, American Chinese, and guests attended. Senator Gorton was pleased that he went to each table to propose a toast and ended up missing the ferry to get home for the night. Before the party, on Nov. 23, IFCSS president Geng Xiao and Heping Shi, director of IFCSS Committee on Public Relations and Government Affairs, visited the Senator at his Seattle office and discussed possible implications on IFCSS's work with Clinton entering the White House. After the party, Geng Xiao, Haiqing Zhao, Heping Shi, and Yingquan Ji, deputy Chairman of the Student Affairs Committee, got together with some local students. The IFCSS officers thanked Luo Ping and Dong Liqun, who had devoted two whole weeks arranging the party and who are not direct beneficiaried of the bill. The officers also expressed appreciation to other local Chinese students who had shared Luo and Dong's work. Five students from Oregon State University, led by their president, IFCSS Council member Qi Yenong, drove 300 miles to attend the party and drove back the same night. Senator Gorton was especially appreciative of their presence.