Kenneth Todd Ruiz, staff writer of Pasadena Star News
Article Launched: 12/20/2007 02:04:08 PM PST

PASADENA -- A second member of Congress wrote a letter on behalf of a local woman whose mother is being held in a Beijing labor camp.

Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monta, sent letters Thursday to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on behalf of Baldwin Park resident Yaning Liu urging the release of her mother Shuying Li, 64.

Li has spent the past year in a labor re-education camp after police found literature related to a spiritual practice banned by the Communist government.

"If Ms. Li has been detained solely because of her religious beliefs and her interest in the Falun Gong, I respectfully request that you release her immediately based on the humanitarian issues involved," Solis said in her letter to the Chinese president.

Her letters were sent one day after Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, sent a similar written request through the Chinese Embassy.

Solis asked Rice to investigate Li's detention and consider using official diplomatic channels to push for Li's release.

Copies of the letter can be seen at reporter Kenneth Todd Ruiz' blog at www.insidesocal.com/pasadenapolitics.