July 23, 2002

[Editor's note: The persecution of Falun Gong in China is the direct result of Jiang and his small group of henchmen's unfounded paranoia and blatant disregard for human rights. Their wishes do not represent the Chinese people as a whole, nor do they represent the Chinese government. In fact, many high-level government officials and Chinese citizens oppose the persecution of Falun Gong.]

Thank you. Welcome back to the United States Capitol.

We are delighted to have you. You are welcome here, and your cause is heard here. This is a very important day. It's almost as hot today as it was last year when you were here, when I spoke with you, when many of my colleagues spoke with you. And your cause is even greater today than it was a year ago. It's been three years since the government of China [Jiang's regime] has cracked down on practitioners of Falun Gong, wrongfully cracked down, taken away your rights, abused your religious freedoms, your personal freedoms and liberties, harassed your family members, and just violated the human rights of the Chinese people beyond any acceptable limit. And it is time for the United States Congress to stand up and say this is wrong and to urge China to correct its abuses. And in fact we will do so. We will vote on H. Con. Res. 188 today, that will call upon China to end its abuse of the Falun Gong. And I'm proud to be a sponsor of that and I will proudly vote for that. I am also proud of some of you here in the crowd. I know one of my constituents is here, Allen Wu. ... Allen Wu became a United States citizen yesterday. So let's welcome Allen. Hello, Allen, congratulations! Congratulations! What a great day for America! On a sadder note, I have another constituent, James Li, whom last year I reported to you: Mr. Li's brother, Li Baifan, was in a so-called re-education camp in China because of his Falun Gong beliefs. And I am very sad to report, during this rally, that James Li has been notified of his brother's death in that re-education camp. That brings home to me very painfully the horror of the abuse in China and the need to correct them.

Last August I visited Beijing. I walked along Tiananmen Square. I got a sense of what must have happened there three summers ago. And I met with director La of the Bureau of Human Rights and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And I asked him when China will end its abuse of the Falun Gong. And he denied that any abuse occurs at all. So we have a long way to go. The Chinese government has not been willing to acknowledge their mistreatment, their human rights abuses of Falun Gong specifically, and Chinese citizens generally. But Congress has heard your message. We will vote today; we will vote tomorrow. We will continue to support you until you have your human rights and freedom.

God bless you, and good luck!

Category: Voices of Support Worldwide