Six Letters from U.S. Senator and Congresspersons to 2001 Chicago Conference

From US Senator Richard J. Durbin

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

Welcome to the Regional Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference. While I cannot join you in person, I want to take this opportunity to express my strong, continued support for your efforts to promote religious freedom in China.

In the face of brutal repression by China's authoritarian regime, Falun Gong practitioners' determination to exercise their fundamental rights of freedom of religion, conscience, expression and assembly serves as a beacon to the cause of freedom in China. I have written to President Jiang Zemin to express my deep concern over the repression of Falun Gong followers in China. During the 106^th congress, I cosponsored a measure which passed the Senate, calling on the Chinese government to release all prisoners of conscience and put an immediate end to the harassment, detention, physical abuse, and imprisonment of Chinese citizens exercising their legitimate rights to free belief, expression, and association.

International religious persecution is a serious issue that deserves continued U.S. attention. I will continue to look for ways to promote religious tolerance towards Falun Gong practitioners and members of other religious groups throughout the world.

Sincerely,

(signature)

Richard J. Durbin

U.S. Senator

From U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

I extend to all in attendance at this year's Falun Dafa conference in Chicago my best wishes for a worthwhile gathering and my regrets that I cannot be with you today.

For the last two years, I have heard from concerned and committed people from the 9^th Congressional District and around the world about persecution of Falun Gong in China. That is two years too long. Because of your work and dedication, I am sure that, one day, freedom of expression will be a reality in China and the will of the people to practice their personal beliefs will prevail.

Here in the United States we are fortunate that freedom of expression and numerous other fundamental rights are respected and protected by society and our government.

Last year, I cosponsored legislation expressing the sense of the US Congress that China should stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners and other religious believers. That measure also called for the Chinese authorities to immediately release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners, to put an end to the poor treatment of those and other prisoners of conscience an to abide by the universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As a member of Congress and as a concerned citizen, I remain committed to fighting for basic human rights for all people in China and throughout the world. I will continue my efforts toward that end throughout my service in Congress and I look forward to working with all of you.

Sincerely,

(signature)

Jan Schakowsky

Member of Congress

From Congressman Bobby Rush

June 22, 2001

The Mid-USA Falun Dafa Association

Chicago, Illinois

Dear Friends:

Thank you so much for your gracious invitation to the Regional Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference in Chicago this weekend. Unfortunately, a previous engagement makes it impossible for me to attend the conference, but it is with great pleasure that I extend my best wishes and warmest greetings to all of the participants of the Sharing conference.

On this special occasion, I want you to know that I deeply admire the courage and the persistence by which the practitioners of Falun Gong have used non-violence and persuasion to appeal to the Chinese government to honor their basic fundamental human rights. I support your efforts to reach peaceful and harmonious relations in your nation. In 1999, I co-sponsored legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives -- House Concurrent Resolution 218 -- to express the sense of the Congress that the government of the People's Republic of China should stop its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

My support for the rights of the Falun Gong has not wavered. I call upon all people around the world to join with me in asking the Chinese government to end persecution of these practitioners of peace.

Best regards,

Sincerely,

(Signature )

Bobby L. Rush

Member of Congress

From Congressman Danny Davis

Please extend my warm greetings to the participants at the Regional Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference on Sunday, June 24, 2001. I am pleased and proud that you are meeting here in Chicago and I trust that your meeting will be successful and satisfying for all those present.

Your commitment to truthfulness, compassion and tolerance severe as an example for all. I share your commitment to, and dream of, human rights and democracy for all of humanity and look forward to a world where these principles are accepted as basic and normal standards of everyday life.

Again, welcome to Chicago and best wishes for your meeting!

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Sincerely,

Danny K. Davis

Member of Congress

From Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

June 24, 2001

Greetings to all attending the Regional Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference. I hope you learn from this important event and enjoy our beautiful city.

Although I am unable to attend the conference, I applaud your efforts to protect the rights of religious minorities everywhere. Freedom of religion, assembly, and speech are principles that my family and I have promoted for years, both in the United States and abroad.

Once again, I wish you the best of luck at your conference. Please accept my warmest regards.

Sincerely,

Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Member of Congress

From Congressman Rod R. Blagojevich

June 22, 2001

To the Regional Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference:

Congratulations to the Falun Dafa Association on your Regional Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference. I salute you for your struggle for basic human rights in China.

I believe in active engagement with China, engagement that fulfills the responsibility of the United States Congress to try to improve Chinese behavior on human rights and democratic freedoms. As a member of Congress, I will continue to use my vote on trade measures as leverage on human rights and other issues. I believe that we must engage not just China but all nations to uphold basic human rights.

I am a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 68, which would express the sense of the Congress that the Government of the People's Republic of China should stop persecution of all religious practitioners and safeguard fundamental human rights; and urges the Chinese Government to release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners and prisoners of conscience.

Once again, congratulations on your Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference. Please accept my best wishes for a successful conference.

Sincerely,

Rod R. Blagojevich

Member of Congress

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