Shen, NPC deputy, voice for people, dies

Speaking for the people

Shen would often say, "Deputies should speak for the people", and she always did, Guo said.

Over her 66 years as an NPC deputy, Shen's proposals focused on agriculture, farmers and rural communities.

"As a veteran NPC deputy, she always spoke for the people and solved problems for them," said Song Zhongyi with the Pingshun local legislature.

Song said Shen researched her proposals and followed up on them."If they were not accepted or handled properly, she would keep bringing them up," he said.

In recent years, Shen was devoted to poverty relief work as deputy Party secretary of Xigou. She led the people to develop new industries, including photovoltaic power and green ecological tourism.

Shen won the title of "National Model Worker" three times, the first in 1952.

She was also known as an outstanding CPC member, reform pioneer and excellent poverty alleviation worker.

Last year she received the Medal of the Republic, the highest State honor, for her contributions to the country as the PRC celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Guo said Shen's death is a loss to the Party and the country. "She has influenced generations, and I believe her followers will carry on in her path of developing the countryside," she said.

Sun Ruisheng in Taiyuan contributed to this story.