(Clearwisdom.net)
I an honored to submit this statement in commemoration of World Falun Dafa Day and the 12th anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Gong. I am sorry I cannot be with you today in celebration of this peaceful international cultivation practice. I know, however, that while you are celebrating here in the United States, many of your thoughts are with the thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who are being persecuted in China.
The Chinese Government continues to arrest Falun Gong adherents at an alarming rate: over one hundred of these innocent prisoners have died in detention since 1999. My colleges in the US Congress and I agree that this disturbing practice must be thwarted immediately. I have cosponsored resolutions expressing disapproval of China's oppression and coercion of Falun Gong practitioners. And I am happy to report that this March the House of representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution reaffirming our insistence that the People's Republic of China begin to recognize fundamental human rights.
As a member of the House Committee on International Relations, I have learned that while there is no single ideal for democracy, respect for human right is universal. The People's Republic of China has continuously demonstrated in their actions against Falun Gong practitioners and others their failure to recognize the rights of freedom of thought, conscience, and peaceful assembly.
Many Falun Gong practitioners from Pennsylvania contact me every year to describe the atrocities committed in China against their families and friends that choose to practice this self-improvement exercises. I commend the millions of Falun Gong practitioners worldwide and those present today for your commitment to the promotion of democracy and respect for human rights, and I join you in praise of your peaceful form of personal belief and practice.