U.S. Senators John Curtis and Jacky Rosen sent a letter on Mar. 23 congratulating Riley Barnes on his appointment as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, urging him to advance U.S. policy towards Tibet. Barnes also serves as the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
The Senators said that supporting Tibet is important for upholding human rights standards and countering Chinese influence. The position of Special Coordinator was created by the Tibetan Policy Act in 2002 to coordinate U.S. government policies related to Tibet.
“We congratulate you on your appointment as the U.S. State Department Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. This position has long reflected bipartisan and unwavering U.S. support for the Tibetan people’s ongoing struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms—consistent with American values, universal human rights standards, and protecting U.S. interests from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) influence,” wrote Curtis and Rosen in their letter.
They added: “We know what is possible when the Administration and Congress work together to promote America’s interests regarding Tibet. We look forward to working with you as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to implement these laws and appropriations provided by Congress, to advance a renewed and reinvigorated push to peacefully resolve the dispute over Tibet’s future, and to continue the U.S. government’s unwavering support for our Tibetan allies.”
Curtis represents Utah in the Senate after serving two terms as mayor of Provo according to his official website. He has founded the Conservative Climate Caucus according to his official website and is recognized among effective Republican members of Congress according to his official website. His legislative work includes public land management reforms while supporting small businesses according to his official website. Curtis also raises six children with his wife Sue, along with 17 grandchildren according to his official website.
The full text of Curtis’s joint letter can be found online.
