WASHINGTON, D.C. - Former Chinese political prisoners Wei Jingsheng, Harry Wu, Bob Fu and Rebiya Kadeer, as well as Sharon Hom, executive director of Human Rights in China and other Chinese human rights activists, will join Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4th), GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (IN-6th),Congressmen Frank Wolf (VA-10th) and Joe Pitts (PA-16th) leading human rights advocates in Congress, at a press conference Thursday regarding U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's
controversial remarks over the past week indicating a retreat on the priority of human rights issues in U.S.-China relations.

Traveling in China last weekend, Clinton met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders, while failing to meet with dissidents during her stay. She was criticized by human rights groups for publically announcing that U.S. concerns about human rights abuses in China must not interfere with cooperation on financial crisis, global warming and other issues.

Who: Congressmen Chris Smith, Mike Pence, Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts
When: Thursday, Feb. 26 @ 11 a.m.
Where: Cannon House Office Building Terrace (corner of Independence and New Jersey)