(Minghui.org) On the eve of the 15th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, many American congressmen and senators stood in solidarity with practitioners and condemned the persecution.

They expressed in support letters, their admiration of practitioners, for 15 years of persistent peaceful resistance to the persecution, and acknowledged their contributions to local communities.

Congressman Adam Smith, Aaron Schock, Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Robert Pittenger mentioned in particular their concerns about the crimes of organ harvesting in China, and said they looked forward to passing the pending congressional resolution, which awaits the markup by the full House Committee on Foreign Affairs. It passed the Asia Subcommittee markup last December.

“As a long-time member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I am a strong advocate of the need to protect these fundamental rights and freedoms. No person should be persecuted for their spirituality or should be deprived from other rights due to their peaceful religious practices.

“I remain concerned about reports about the abusive treatment of the Falun Gong. As such, I am a cosponsor of H. Res. 281, a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives that raises concerns about the persistent and credible reports of systematic horrific abuses in China. I look forward to further discussion and legislative debate about this resolution as it advances through the legislative process,” Congressman Adam Smith of Washington writes in his letter.

Below is a collection of the support letters.

Senator Robert Menendez

Support letter from Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey

Senator Ron Johnson

Support letter from Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Support letter from Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin

Senator Pat Toomey

Support letter from Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

Support letter from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut

Congressman Adam Smith

Support letter from Congressman Adam Smith of Washington

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Support letter from Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. of New Jersey

Congressman Rush Holt

Support letter from Congressman Rush Holt of New Jersey

Congresswoman Gwen Moore

Support letter from Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin

Congressman Keith Ellison

Support letter from Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota

Congressman Aaron Schock

Support letter from Congressman Aaron Schock of Illinois

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer

Support letter from Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri

Congressman Bill Foster

Support letter from Congressman Bill Foster of Illinois

Congressman Paul Tonko

Support letter from Congressman Paul Tonko of New York

Congressman Leonard Lance

Support letter from Congressman Leonard Lance of New Jersey


Congressman Gerry Connolly

Support letter from Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia

Congressman Joseph Heck

Support letter from Congressman Joseph Heck of Neveda

Congressman Reid Ribble

Support letter from Congressman Reid Ribble of Wisconsin

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

Support letter from Congressman Vicky Hartzler of Wisconsin

Congressman Robert Pittenger

Support letter from Congressman Robert Pittenger of North Carolina