Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-3210

May 13, 2002

New York Falun Gong Practitioners

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To Whom It May Concern:

I write to commend and express my strong support of the Falun Gong (also known as the Falun Dafa) practice and their capable founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, in the recognitions of their credo of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance and for their courage in the face of severe government persecution. I am honored to join you in celebrating the Tenth World Falun Dafa Day.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party, the ruling dictatorship of the People's Republic of China (PRC), initiated a brutal crack down on members of the Falun Gong, which they deemed a threat to their regime after the practice outgrew the Party's membership. The more than 70 million Falun Gong practitioners in China are forced to choose between their closely held spiritual beliefs and their jobs, homes, families and education.

Despite risks of life and limb, many courageous millions who practice Falun Gong in China are standing up to the government that denies them a basic tenet of democracy. As Americans, we can certainly admire this spirit, of standing up to a brutal government and speaking out on behalf of the oppressed. These convictions should be admired by freedom-loving people around the world.

Again, I commend the Members of the Falun Gong for the strength of their convictions. May Truth, Compassion and Tolerance become a realization for us all. I hope and pray that the next World Falun Dafa Day finds us all in freedom and good health.

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Sincerely yours,

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Edolphus "Ed" Towns

Member of Congress