December 20, 2002

Dear Secretary Powell:

I am writing on behalf of a constituent from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, who is a Falun Gong practitioner.

My constituent has concern about the harassment of Falun Gong practitioners in the United States, and about the possibility of the compilation of a "black list" of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government on American soil. I have enclosed a packet of information provided to me by my constituent, with various accounts of harassment of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government. I respectfully request a response regarding these allegations and any diplomatic actions that may be taken to ensure that persecution of Falun Gong practitioners ceases, especially on American soil.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Steven R. Rothman
Member of Congress