Press Releases

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA), Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, worked with Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders Joshua Wong and Sunny Cheung and the Demosisto and Network DIPLO organizations to secure a donation of one thousand Hong Kong-made surgical masks to UMass Memorial Medical Center caregivers.

In addition, Congressman McGovern was pleased to welcome a donation from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-en of 100,000 medical masks to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency warehouse. 

“From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to Joshua Wong, Sunny Cheung, Demosisto, and Network DIPLO for their generous donation to caregivers at UMass Memorial Medical Center,” said Congressman McGovern. “The people of Hong Kong are fighting for their freedom, but they still took the time to help us amidst this crisis. I will continue to stand in solidarity with the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement as they push back against further erosion of their human rights, the rule of law, and their way of life. On behalf of the people of Worcester and the heroic medical professionals at the UMass Memorial Medical Center, thank you to the people of Hong Kong.”

“Our best defense against COVID-19 is our workforce of compassionate caregivers, without them we don’t stand a chance,” said Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care. “We need each of them to be healthy so that they can help take care of the patients who are putting up a courageous fight against this dreadful virus. I am grateful for this wonderful donation that will provide a layer of protection for our caregivers. It will help put their minds at ease so they can focus 100 percent on our patients.”

Last Year, McGovern was named Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. As part of his efforts to highlight pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong, he has held two congressional hearings where Members of Congress heard first-hand testimony from Joshua Wong, Sunny Cheung, and other pro-democracy leaders about the worsening situation in Hong Kong that led to the historic protests last summer. He also played a leading role in authoring and passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (P.L. 116–76) and the PROTECT Hong Kong Act (P.L. 116-77), bipartisan bills that have been signed into law by the President.

“Yesterday, Taiwan President Tsai donated 100,000 medical masks to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency warehouse. The donation is deeply appreciated by the people of Massachusetts. Taiwan’s early and proactive efforts to respond to the spread of COVID-19 serve as a model for the United States and the world and has saved countless lives. This donation serves as a tangible symbol of the friendship between the people of Taiwan and the United States that is based on our shared values and our commitment to human rights,” concluded McGovern.