“I’m thankful for her safe return home, and I applaud the courage of her family and resilience of the State Department as they worked together to make today a reality.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after Sandy Phan-Gillis, a Texas resident, arrived safely in the U.S. after being detained in China for more than two years:
“I’m relieved that Sandy Phan-Gillis has been released and will soon be reunited with her loved ones in Houston,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The unlawful detention of an American citizen for more than two years with little to no explanation by Chinese authorities is shameful and unacceptable.”
“I’m thankful for her safe return home, and I applaud the courage of her family and resilience of the State Department as they worked together to make today a reality.”
In March 2017, ahead of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s scheduled visit to Beijing, Senator Cornyn sent a letter to the Chinese Ambassador seeking Mrs. Phan-Gillis’ release. A signed copy is available here. This followed two letters during the Obama Administration in 2015 and 2016 to then-Secretary of State John Kerry asking for State Department assistance in her case.
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.