Legislature(2001 - 2002)
01/24/2001 03:35 PM House EDT
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, TRADE AND TOURISM
January 24, 2001
3:35 p.m.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION BY CHINESE DISSIDENT WEI, JINGSHENG; PRESENTATION
BY AK TRAVEL INDUSTRY ASSC.
TAPES
01-2, SIDES A & B
CALL TO ORDER
REPRESENTATIVE LESIL McGUIRE, Chair, called the House Special
Committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism to order at
3:35 p.m.
PRESENT
Committee members present were Representatives McGuire, Green,
James, Morgan, Masek and Guess. Also present were
Representative Porter, Speaker of the House, as well as
Representative Berkowitz.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
WEI, JINGSHENG (through DAVID MA, his translator) informed the
committee that American businesses should be cautious when
entering into trade agreements with China. Good business is not
only earning a profit, but also doing so while keeping in mind
violations of (human) rights that are related to it. The issue
of human rights needs to be addressed when pursuing business in
China. China's laws are enacted to protect the government and
repress the people, whereas American laws are enacted to protect
the country's citizens.
DAVID MA said U.S. immigration laws should in the future become
more lenient to Chinese citizens who are fleeing oppression in
China. He related this message to his own experiences in
attempting to escape repression.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES briefly touched on the position of the
United States regarding giving China "Most Favored Nation
Status." She asked Mr. Wei's opinion.
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK commended Mr. Wei on his bravery and
accomplishments. She explained that her husband had also been
imprisoned at one time.
TINA LINDGREN, President, Alaska Travel Industry Association
(ATIA), discussed the ATIA's plans for the future and answered
committee members' questions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR McGUIRE adjourned the House Special Committee on Economic
Development, Trade and Tourism meeting at an unspecified time.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were
taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by
contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Second
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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