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Ocean County Leader

Saturday, May 4, 2024

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Rep. Chris Smith Criticizes Rutgers University for Response to Protesters' Demands

In response to Rutgers University's handling of the demands made by protesters, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) has strongly criticized the institution for potentially capitulating to antisemitic, anti-Israel, pro-Hamas sentiments. Smith questioned whether the university's response to the protesters' demands amounted to appeasement.Smith expressed his dismay, stating, “Any capitulation whatsoever to antisemitic, anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protesters is absolutely disgraceful.” He further emphasized the importance of combating antisemitic threats on campus rather than...

By Ocean County Leader | May 3, 2024

Local Government

Liberian President Boakai Signs Executive Order to Establish War Crimes & Economic Crimes Court

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, praised Liberian President Boakai's recent decision to establish the War Crimes and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. In a statement, Congressman Smith expressed his support for the executive order, stating, "President Boakai’s signing of the Executive Order to establish the Office of War Crimes and Economic Crimes Court is a welcomed and momentous step in redressing the wounds of the country’s civil wars."He further emphasized the...

By Ocean County Leader | May 2, 2024

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House Passes Bill to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses

By Ocean County Leader | May 1, 2024

The House of Representatives has passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act (HR 6090), a bill aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. During the debate on the House Floor, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, expressed his concerns about the rising antisemitism in the United States.Smith, who has a history of advocating for human rights, recalled his experience in the Soviet Union 42 years ago, stating, "Forty-two years ago, my first human rights trip as a congressman was to the Soviet Union to defend Jews against...

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Smith leads the House of Representatives in a moment of silence honoring the late Donald Payne Jr.

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 29, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, led the House of Representatives in a moment of silence to honor the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ). In his remarks on the House Floor, Smith expressed his grief and admiration for Payne's dedication to public service and his commitment to improving the lives of New Jersey residents.Smith conveyed the sentiments of his colleagues, stating, "We are grateful for his public service and offer our prayers and condolences to his wife Bea and their children, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne." He...

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Rep. Chris Smith Condemns UN Report on UNRWA as Whitewash

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 26, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has strongly criticized the recently released report on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), describing it as "an absolute whitewash aimed at covering up the antisemitism, violence and hate that has poisoned the agency for decades." Smith, who is the Chair of the House Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee, has been a vocal opponent of UNRWA and has authored legislation to ban US funding for the agency.The report, officially known as the report of the Independent Review Group but widely referred to as the...

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Local Government

Hong Kong Human Rights Defender Honored with Street Name in Washington DC

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 25, 2024

Legislation introduced by Reps. Chris Smith and Tom Suozzi aims to rename the address of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Washington, DC as 1 Jimmy Lai Way in honor of the imprisoned Hong Kong human rights defender, Jimmy Lai."Jimmy Lai is a man of faith and conviction, someone who fervently believed that Hong Kong’s prosperity and vitality were built on the rights promised to its citizens," expressed Rep. Smith, who nominated Lai for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. He added, "For peacefully acting on this belief, he is arbitrarily detained."Rep. Suozzi emphasized the...

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Rep. Chris Smith Mourns the Passing of Rep. Donald Payne Jr.

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 24, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today issued a statement on the passing of Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. of Newark, expressing his condolences and honoring Payne's legacy.Smith described Payne as a dedicated public servant who followed in his father's footsteps, working tirelessly to improve the lives of New Jersey families. He highlighted Payne's compassion for those in need, stating, "Donald Payne Jr., like his father before him, was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of New Jersey families. He was a compassionate legislator who cared deeply for people...

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Smith, Suozzi Introduce Legislation to Combat Chinese Communist Party's Genocide of Uyghurs

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 24, 2024

Reps. Chris Smith and Tom Suozzi have introduced the Uyghur Genocide Accountability and Sanctions Act (UGASA) to address the ongoing genocide of Uyghurs by the Chinese Communist Party. Smith emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “This critical legislation will help address the horrific abuses we have seen directed at Uyghurs and other predominantly-Muslim Central Asian people by Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party—from forced labor to the forced harvesting of Uyghur organs.” Suozzi echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need to expand sanctions...

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Two years after trail went cold, FBI renews search for Wall art teacher's stolen paintings

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 24, 2024

Two years after her paintings were stolen during an art show in Denver, Wall High School art teacher Jill Alexander finds renewed hope as the FBI renews its search for the missing artworks. The incident, which left Alexander devastated, has taken an unexpected turn with the intervention of U.S. Rep. Chris Smith.Reflecting on the emotional significance of the stolen paintings, Alexander shared, "It was uplifting for her when there wasn’t a whole lot to be uplifted about." She vividly recalled the moments leading up to the theft, including her hesitation and her husband's...

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Smith calls on Azerbaijani government to provide Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu with immediate access to medical care

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 23, 2024

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Global Human Rights Subcommittee, and Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, has urged the government of Azerbaijan to provide Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu with immediate access to medical care. Dr. Ibadoglu, an economist who has been unjustly imprisoned, was recently transferred from prison to house arrest.Smith emphasized the critical need for medical intervention, stating, “This heroic political prisoner suffers from a number of medical conditions, which have been greatly aggravated by the lack of...

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Local Government

Grant Paves The Way For Route 9 Traffic Relief

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 20, 2024

Mayor Peggy Sue Juliano announced the receipt of a $6,000,000 Congressional District Spending Grant for the completion of the Railroad Avenue Extension in Lacey Township. She expressed her gratitude to Congressman Chris Smith for securing the funds and emphasized the project's importance for alleviating traffic congestion on Route 9. Juliano credited several individuals for initiating discussions to address the traffic issues, including her late husband, former Mayor Nick Juliano, Committeeman Mark Dykoff, and Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn.Describing the project as...

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Local Government

Concerns Mount Over Verizon’s Planned 5G Towers in Belmar; Smith Introduces Legislation to Empower Local Residents

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 19, 2024

Concerns are growing over Verizon's proposed installation of 20 30-foot towers along the boardwalk in Belmar, prompting Rep. Chris Smith to introduce legislation aimed at empowering local residents impacted by the proliferation of 5G towers. In a statement, Smith highlighted the importance of restoring the role of residents in decision-making processes regarding the advancement of 5G technology. Smith's bill, HR 8082, seeks to nullify FCC regulations that limit the input of local governments and communities in such projects.“My legislation will repeal these harmful...

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Republican Congressman Urges Japan PM to Address Child Abduction Issue Impacting US Families

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 17, 2024

A Republican congressman has personally delivered a letter to Japan’s prime minister urging action to address the issue of American children being abducted and held in Japan by parents without consent. In the letter, GOP Rep. Chris Smith emphasized the importance of reuniting these families, stating, "For the sake of the children who are suffering, and for the sake of U.S. and Japanese relations, I seek your public commitment to reunite these families."Smith highlighted the ongoing human rights crisis of child abduction to Japan, pointing out the lack of notable returns...

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Smith Introduces Bill to Prevent Cobalt Mined by Child Exploitation in Congo from Entering US Market

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 16, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee, has introduced legislation aimed at preventing cobalt mined by child exploitation and forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo from entering the US market. The bill targets China's dominance in processing cobalt, which often involves child or forced labor in the DRC.Smith's bill, named the Stop China’s Exploitation of Congolese Children and Adult Forced Labor through Cobalt Mining Act, aims to investigate and block cobalt mined by forced labor from entering the US market. The legislation...

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Local Government

US Congressman Urges Japanese Prime Minister to Return Abducted American Children

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 16, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith has penned a hand-delivered letter to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, urging him to intervene and facilitate the return of over 500 American children who have been abducted to Japan. Smith's direct appeal comes in the wake of his address to the US Congress last week, where he highlighted the plight of these children and their left-behind parents.Smith's letter to Prime Minister Fumio emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "To date, more than 500 American children have been abducted to Japan by one of their respective parents and remain...

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Local Government

Smith chairs hearing on Turkey’s shocking human rights abuses and aggressive transnational repression

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 16, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, led a congressional hearing today addressing the concerning human rights violations and transnational repression carried out by the Government of Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.During the hearing, Smith highlighted the alarming situation in Turkey, stating, “Since 2016, the government of Turkey has, according to the US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, ‘arrested or imprisoned more than 95,000 citizens, and closed more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations…primarily for...

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Rep. Chris Smith: United States Stands Firmly with Israel Against Iran's Aggression

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 13, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus, has delivered a resolute message in the wake of Iran's recent drone missile attack on Israel. In response to the attack, Rep. Smith stated, "We unequivocally stand with our great friend and ally, Israel."Expressing strong support for Israel, Rep. Smith emphasized the need for unwavering solidarity, stating, "Iran has launched an unprovoked, massive terror attack on our great friend and ally Israel and the United States must make absolutely clear in both...

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Local Government

Experts Sound Alarm on Chinese Communist Party's Influence at UN

By Ocean County Leader | Apr 10, 2024

At a Capitol Hill hearing chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today, a panel of global experts sounded the alarm on the often overlooked yet growing malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at the United Nations (UN).“The Chinese Communist Party is an unelected, highly deceptive, and unimaginably cruel political entity—a dictatorship—that rules by force, torture and coercion and stands credibly accused of genocide and a plethora of human rights abuses,” said Smith, the Chairman of the House Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations...

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U.S. Congressman Advocates for Establishment of War Crimes & Economic Crimes Court in Liberia

By Ocean County Leader | Mar 26, 2024

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, has emphasized the critical need to establish a War Crimes & Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. Smith highlighted the long-standing suffering of the Liberian people, stating, “In recent decades, Liberia’s people have suffered untold human rights violations and economic crimes while perpetrators acted with near-complete impunity during the country’s multiple civil wars.”Smith also referenced President Joseph Boakai's commitment to...

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Smith Announces Information Night for US Service Academy Nomination Hopefuls

By Ocean County Leader | Mar 19, 2024

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) has announced that an Information Night for students interested in competing for a US Service Academy nomination will take place on April 18, 2024, at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, NJ.The event aims to provide essential information for high school and college students, as well as their parents, counselors, or teachers, residing in the Fourth Congressional District who are looking to compete for a congressional nomination to one of the five US Service Academies. Smith highlighted the significance of these institutions in...