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Introductory Message |
June 17, 1998 Press Release |
Before the Abduction |
After the Abduction |
What You Can Do |
Officials To Contact |
Recent Developments |
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BRING MEI MEI HOME
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Mei Mei is a Chinese-American born in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a U.S. citizen, entitled to all the rights of any other U.S. citizen. She has been raised by U.S. citizens Laura Hong and Tom Kovach, who now have legal custody of her. She has always resided in the United States. She speaks and understands English. Yet, because Mei Mei has Chinese features, many American officials have expressed their belief that Mei Mei "belongs in China." Other officials have expressed a belief that children always belong with their biological mothers -- completely disregarding the danger Mei Mei is in, the findings of the Juvenile Court's Diagnostic Clinic, the rulings of the Ohio courts, and the reason for the existence of the child welfare system itself. Finally, some officials have objected that it is a waste of government resources to pursue Mei Mei's return, because there is, they believe, little likelihood of success. In fact, Chinese officials have indicated a willingness to cooperate -- the only obstacle to Mei Mei's return is the inaction of American officials.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please help to ensure Mei Mei's prompt and safe return to her home. Here are a few simple steps you can take to assist Mei Mei. Please reference "The Abduction of Rhonda 'Mei Mei' Lan Zhang" on all your letters:1. Please write, call, or fax any U.S. officials who you believe may be in a position help and request that the U.S. Government make a formal request for Mei Mei's return to the Government of the People's Republic of China. Below is contact information for a number of relevant officials:
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The President c/o Chris Enscoff The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 P: (202) 456-1414 F: (202) 456-6703 |
Eric Schwartz Senior Director Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs National Security Council The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 P: (202) 456-9141 F: (202) 456-9140 |
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The Honorable Madeline K. Albright Secretary of State 7226 Main State Building 2201 C Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20520 (202) 647-5291 |
The Honorable William B. Richardson U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. 799 U.N. Plaza New York, NY 10017 (212) 415-4404 |
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The Honorable James Sasser U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China American Embassy Beijing PSC 461 Box 50 FPO AP 65323431 |
President Jiang Zemin c/o Chinese Embassy 2300 Connecticut Avenue Washington D.C. 20008 |
2. Please ask members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to join their colleagues in both houses who have requested action to bring Mei Mei home. Please ask them to request that President Clinton address Mei Mei at the summit and request President Jiang Zemin return her home. A current list of Senators and Representatives who have requested action appears on the page called Recent Developments. If someone you planned to write appears on this list, please be sure to thank him or her for any actions already taken and encourage further action on behalf of Mei Mei. The following page, Officials to Contact, is a list of contact information for all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. When applicable, please be sure to note that you are a constituent, supporter or contributor.3. Please let others know about Mei Mei. If you know individuals or groups who might be able to assist in Mei Mei's return, please feel free not only to refer them to this website but also to provide them with a digital or printed copy. By all means pass it along, preferably in its entirety, to anyone who might be in a position to help. Feel free to forward the URL if you feel it is more appropriate. You should also feel free to link to this site from your own site. If you like, you can download and use the logo at the top of each page for your own link to the site.
4. If you take any of the actions requested here, please send a copy of any correspondence so we have a record of the efforts being made on Mei Mei's behalf. In the alternative, send us a quick e-mail at meimei@kurilec.euclid.oh.us. For example: "On June 18, 1998, I wrote a letter to President Clinton following the suggestions in Item 1 of your webpage." Similarly, please let us know about any responses, positive or negative, you receive. Please use the e-mail address only for information concerning efforts to bring Mei Mei home, and not for expressions of concern or other messages. Other contact information for Laura Hong and Tom Kovach appears below.We are grateful for any help you can provide.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
LAURA HONG TOM KOVACH LAURA HONG
Home: (216) 932-8934 (216) 932-8934 4900 Key Tower
Or: (216) 397-9596 (216) 397-9596 127 Public Square
Work: (216) 479-8554 (216) 479-8714 Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1304
Page: (216) 948-7035 (216) 506-7528
Mobile: (216) 973-2935 meimei@kurilec.euclid.oh.us
The URL of this page is: http://ebni.com/meimei/what.html
Please direct e-mail about Mei Mei to: meimei@kurilec.euclid.oh.us
If you have any advice, comments or bug reports about the
design of this page, please direct them to: tim@kurilec.euclid.oh.us
This page was last revised on June 17, 1998.