My name is Sam, Zhaohui Lu from Cobb County. Today I am very glad to have this opportunity to share my personal experiences of persecution as a Falun Gong practitioner. Falun Gong, is a peaceful meditation practice for mind and body, which promotes physical and spiritual well-being based on the principle of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Now found in more than 50 countries around the world, Falun Gong was first introduced to public by founder Mr. Li Hong Zhi from China. While being widely recognized worldwide, Falun Gong has been under horrendous attack from the atheistic Chinese Communist regime since July 1999. With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's leader Jiang Zemin officially launched the persecution of Falun Gong in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party.

Our experience is just a tiny part of the stories behind the Chinese communist regime's brutal persecution of Falun Gong. Human rights groups have verified that over 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been arbitrarily detained. At least 20,000 have been sent to labor camps without trial. Hundreds have been sentenced to extended jail terms. More than 1000 have been illegally sent to mental hospitals, where they are given forced injections and subjected to inhumane treatment. 505 people are confirmed to have died while in police custody, or as a result of police torture, the youngest being an eight-month baby with his mother, the oldest being a 74-year-old retiree. Government sources inside China have disclosed that the actual number exceeds 1,600. We lost our job, home, family, safety, human dignity, freedom and all the basic human rights. However, there is one thing that we have not lost, and that is our belief in Falun Gong -- truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. We have never returned the violence, terrorism, hatred and prejudice toward the people and government of China.

Honorable US Senators, America is great, because throughout its history, Americans have spoken on behalf of those who cannot be heard, borne witness on behalf of those who cannot testify, protected those who put not only their livelihood but indeed their lives on the line, and stood up for freedom and fought so courageously for justice, for the people around the world and for a better world. What we are witnessing today in China is indeed the 'criminalization of innocence.' I am lucky enough to come to this land of freedom, but millions could not. My wife is still facing imminent threat to her life, and the killings are continuing in China. I am here earnestly appealing to you to join many of your colleagues and write a letter to show your support to the rescue efforts for my wife and many innocent Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China. Your commitment to the principle of freedom of belief will not only be greatly appreciated now but also will be long remembered by all.