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Extensions of Remarks E621 HON. ED PERLMUTTER

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Extensions of Remarks E621 HON. ED PERLMUTTER April 29, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E621 The 1946 pro-freedom demonstrators com- RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN Taiwan and throughout the Far East. Lee peted for attention with the communist-en- MEDICAL GROUP FOUNDATION agreed. Subsequent developments not only dorsed May 1 Labor Day celebrations in the validated Nee’s insight (he was imprisoned Polish People’s Republic. Until 1989, May 3 HON. JAMES P. MORAN shortly thereafter, and the churches raised up was a frequent occasion for anti-government OF VIRGINIA under his and Lee’s ministry were forced un- and anti-communist protests and Polish Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES derground), but also confirmed that their mes- stitution Day was restored as an official Polish sage and ministry had the potential to reach holiday in April 1990 after the fall of com- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 far beyond China. munism. In 2007, May 3 was declared a Lith- Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Almost immediately Lee’s ministry began to uanian national holiday and Polish-American recognize the American Medical Group Foun- have a profound impact in Taiwan. Tens of pride has been celebrated on the same date dation, based in Alexandria, Virginia, for thousands turned to Jesus Christ for their sal- here in the United States as well. For instance hosting the first ever Measure Up/Pressure vation and began congregating in simple, New since 1982 in Chicago, the Polish-American DownTM National Day of Action: Roll Up Your Testament churches, as their Chinese breth- community have marked May 3rd with festivi- Sleeves! on May 15, 2014. On this day, med- ren had done in China during the previous two ties and the annual Polish Constitution Day ical groups, health systems, partners, and decades. Today, there are more than 200 Parade, and in my own district, Polonia sponsors across the nation will take one ‘‘ac- such local churches in Taiwan with more than United, San Diego led by its President tion’’ to improve blood pressure control in their 200,000 believers. It is a similar story in the Zdzislaw (George) Juchum and its Vice Presi- communities. The services will range from free Far East and Australasia, with churches estab- dent Miroslaw Gomy work tirelessly to inform blood pressure screenings and patient edu- lished in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and involve the San Diego community of this cation, to employee brown bag lunches and Singapore, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and important event. media outreach. Australia. The Constitution of May 3, 1791, is evi- The Measure Up/Pressure DownTM initiative Witness Lee did not confine his work to dence of successful internal reform and serves is a national campaign that raises awareness Asia. In 1962 he came to North America and as a symbol of the eventual restoration of Po- and control of blood pressure by working with began to minister from Los Angeles, where he land’s sovereignty. Congratulations to our more than 150 medical groups and health sys- established Living Stream Ministry, the pub- friends and allies in Poland. As you celebrate tems, partner organizations, and sponsors. lisher of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee in Polish Constitution Day on May 3, please be High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of English and over fifty other languages. Wit- assured that the United States stands beside the biggest risk factors for heart disease, ness Lee’s speaking and writing continued to you as a fellow defender of freedom and stroke, kidney disease, and diabetes complica- emphasize ‘‘Christ as life’’ and God’s desire to democracy. tions. Nearly one out of three American adults ‘‘build His church’’ on the basis of the oneness f has high blood pressure. Yet out of these 68 of God’s people, rather than on any ethnic or SENATOR DAVE WATTENBERG million people, only half have the condition cultural differences. This was the same mes- under control. sage that he had learned from his spiritual HON. ED PERLMUTTER Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the mentor, Watchman Nee. Since the early OF COLORADO American Medical Group Foundation’s con- 1960s the spread of the local churches under IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tributions to healthier communities, applaud Lee’s ministry throughout the North and South their national day of action, and ask that my America, Europe, and Africa has been remark- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 colleagues and their staffs consider taking part able. There are more than 4,000 churches and Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in this important event. 400,000 believers meeting on every inhabited today to honor the memory of my colleague, f continent, including 200 churches and several neighbor, and above all else my friend . thousand believers in Russia and the Russian- Dave Wattenberg. Dave passed away on WATCHMAN NEE AND WITNESS speaking world. Monday, January 20, 2014 with his wife Mary LEE Inside mainland China the number of ‘‘hid- Sharon by his side. den’’ believers following the ministry of Nee Dave and I served together for 6 years in HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS and Lee has continued to grow despite the Colorado’s State Senate. OF PENNSYLVANIA Chinese government’s often extreme meas- He was a cowboy whose wit was un- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ures to suppress and openly persecute them. matched but he was a serious legislator and Historically, members of the churches in China Tuesday, April 29, 2014 public servant. During the years of Dave’s who appreciate the ministry of Nee and Lee service he passed over 250 bills. These laws Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, a little over four have been among the most harshly per- encompassed mining, banking, air quality years ago my esteemed colleague from New secuted. Thousands have been imprisoned, standards for public lands, and even bringing Jersey, the honorable CHRIS SMITH, rose in countless beaten, and many even martyred. It horse racing back to the State of Colorado. this chamber to bring due attention to one of is estimated today that there may be two mil- He cared deeply about rural Colorado and the great Christians of the twentieth century— lion believers and thousands of local churches his home and the people of northwest Colo- the noted Chinese teacher and church-planter, in China that draw their spiritual nourishment rado in Jackson County. Watchman Nee. Today, I rise to complete the and supply from the ministry of Nee and Lee. He understood better than most the issues circle on this compelling story by honoring Recently, reports have reached the West that effected ranchers and farmers and he Watchman Nee’s closest co-worker, Witness that Christian believers in two provinces have brought those issues to light at the State- Lee. Together they labored tirelessly in China been imprisoned merely for possessing copies house. The Colorado Brand Association legis- from 1932 until the conquest of mainland of the Recovery Version, a study Bible pub- lation sponsored by Dave was most important China by the Communist Red Army under lished by Living Stream Ministry and Taiwan to his love of western heritage. Mao Tse Tung in 1949. Today, the story of Dave knew what it took to bring people to- Gospel Book Room, the publishing entity Lee Watchman Nee is somewhat well known, gether, to compromise and strike a deal to established in Taiwan. Today Watchman Nee make good public policy for the people of Col- given his numerous writings that have become is still labeled as a ‘‘dangerous counterrevolu- orado. Christian classics, such as The Normal Chris- tionary,’’ and Witness Lee is officially branded I was honored to be the beneficiary of Dave tian Life and Sit, Walk, Stand. Capping his in- as a ‘‘cult leader.’’ The writings of both men and Mary Sharon’s help and support over the spirational biography was his martyrdom in a are banned in China. It is tragic that Watch- years. Chinese labor farm in 1972. man Nee died in a Chinese prison farm, totally Whenever I talked to Dave he wanted to Witness Lee’s story is less known in the unaware of how profoundly his life and min- know how he could help me. West but is in no way less significant. Al- istry would impact the entire world. It is a simi- I will always remember the events in his though Nee was the clear leader when they lar tragedy that Witness Lee died in 1997 with backyard and treasure the times we just sat labored together in China, it was left to Wit- such a blatant, gross distortion hanging over and talked and joked about our time at the ness Lee, to preserve and continue their work his name and his ministry in his homeland. Statehouse as well as about family and poli- outside of China and to spread it far beyond It is ironic that at a time when China is tak- tics. the Chinese-speaking world. When it became ing such a prominent role on the world stage I know how much his wife, Mary Sharon will apparent in 1949 that the Communists would in so many areas of society, it is missing an miss him. I and so many others will miss him prevail in China, Watchman Nee insisted that obvious opportunity to further improve its rep- too. Witness Lee emigrate to carry on their work in utation with in the international community. VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:52 Apr 30, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29AP8.020 E29APPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS.
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