Moolenaar, Krishnamoorthi Lead Members in Honoring Jimmy Lai
Today, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the Select Committee on China introduced a resolution in honor of imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. The resolution will recognize December 8, 2025—his 78th birthday—as Jimmy Lai Day. In addition to this, the resolution affirms the support for Lai in Congress, calls on the CCP and Hong Kong authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him, and condemns these authorities for silencing dissent and violating the rights of all Hong Kongers.
“Jimmy Lai has been a tireless advocate for democracy, and has led the people of Hong Kong in their fight for freedom and liberty. He and his family have stood up for the unalienable rights every person is endowed with by our Creator, and his light will never be extinguished by the CCP. 'Jimmy Lai Day' honors Lai and his family, and it has strong bipartisan support in Congress,” said Moolenaar.
“Jimmy Lai’s courage in standing up for free speech, free worship, and democratic rights represents the best of Hong Kong’s struggle for freedom. As Beijing tightens its authoritarian grip, honoring his birthday as ‘Jimmy Lai Day’ is a reminder that we cannot look away from his unjust imprisonment or the suffering of thousands of other pro-democracy advocates. I urge the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to release Jimmy Lai immediately and respect the fundamental rights they promised to uphold," said Krishnamoorthi.
The Select Committee also released a video honoring Lai and sharing his story with the world.
The resolution is supported by a bipartisan group of members, including Chairman Moolenaar, Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi, Select Committee members Young Kim (R-CA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Andre Carson (D-IN) and Seth Moulton (D-MA), as well Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Congressman Max Miller (R-OH), Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) – Chairman of the Congressional- Executive Commission on China.
Lai, who has been jailed since December 2020, is being detained on dubious charges including “collusion with foreign forces,” “unlawful assembly,” and “inciting” others to attend a Tiananmen Square memorial vigil.
Read the full text of the resolution here.