Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre: "Today we pay tribute to the brave souls of Tiananmen Square, who 18 years ago defied the powers of their day to demand the liberties and freedom to which all people everywhere are entitled.

"We remember how Chinese students, workers and citizens marched in peace, how they raised a Goddess of Democracy in the image of our own Statue of Liberty, and how they quoted our own Founding Fathers.

"We remember the courage of the heroes of Tiananmen and we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy of which they dreamed.

"Eighteen years later, the human rights situation in China remains poor. In fact, the Chinese government is becoming even more sophisticated, using new technology to monitor and apprehend those who criticize the government or worship freely.

"There is new disturbing evidence of a pre-Olympic crackdown on peaceful activists including journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders. The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing should provide an opportunity for more free expression, not less.

"On this anniversary, we once again call on the Chinese government to release the thousands of prisoners whose only crime is to demand their basic human rights. I look forward to a day in the future when democracy and respect for basic human rights is embraced in China."