(Clearwisdom.net) House Resolution 605 passed by a vote of 412 to 1 in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 16, 2010. With this resolution, representatives expressed their empathy with Falun Gong practitioners and their family members who have been subjected to the Chinese Communist regime's continued persecution for the past decade, solely for remaining steadfast in their personal belief. The resolution called for an immediate end to the regime's campaign to persecute, intimidate, imprison, and torture Falun Gong practitioners, and to release all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners.

Florida Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking member of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee authored and introduced House Resolution 605. This resolution calls for an immediate abolition of an extra-judicial security apparatus called the 610 Office Jiang Zemin had ordered to create, and given the mandate to "eradicate" Falun Gong. The resolution also called for an immediate release of Falun Gong practitioners from prisons and forced labor camps who have been detained solely for their belief, including those practitioners who are the relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents.

On the occasion of the upcoming 11th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's campaign of the persecution of Falun Gong, the text at the end of the resolution urges U.S. President Obama and Members of Congress to publicly express solidarity with the Falun Gong practitioners persecuted solely for their personal beliefs.

House Resolution 605 rises above partisan politics in its call for an end to the persecution, and reflects almost unanimous support for Falun Gong.

U.S. congressional support for Falun Gong may be a sign that conscience goes beyond politics. Resolution No. 605 is not merely a political motion, but an inevitable reaction once human morals and conscience have understood the truth about Falun Gong.

Following is a clear example of the above: Congressman Rush Holt from New Jersey stated in his speech before the House vote, "As Americans and members of the international community, we have a responsibility to speak out against persecution and to stand up for the truths and unalienable rights that we hold dear. Falun Gong practitioners, and all those seeking to exercise the universal right to freely practice the religion of their choice and to express their beliefs openly, deserve profound U.S. leadership on their behalf. I am pleased to vote for this resolution, and to give voice to all those who continue to suffer needlessly and cannot speak for themselves."

Representative Chris Smith from New Jersey stated, "I rise in strong support of House Resolution 605, defending the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners, savagely persecuted by the Chinese government, and thank my good friend Ms. Ros Lehtinenfor introducing this resolution."

"On the tenth anniversary of the Falun Gong's inspiring silent protest at Zhongnanhai, many people still do not understand the savagery of the Mao-style campaign which the Communist Party unleashed in 1999. The story of a typical Falun Gong arrest is horrific: first the government beats them, later it tortures them, molesting and sometimes raping women, sends them to forced labor camps and then brainwashing classes, all the while a high-profile publicity campaign defames and humiliates them. And it has been documented that it has killed at least 3,000 of the Falun Gong. ...Falun Gong practitioners have been great witnesses of courage and peace. Again I thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for introducing this resolution."

Congressman Frank Wolf from Virginia stated in his speech before voting at the House of Representatives, "China has become increasingly brazen in its human rights abuses. In the face of this repression, America has a responsibility to continually affirm that we stand with the defenseless--with those whose voices have been silenced. ...This Congress and this administration must be unwavering in our support of all persecuted peoples."

Politics in China become a tool the communist regime uses in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Exposing the persecution is vilified by the regime as "playing politics" in order to maintain the persecution. In the United States, politicians use politics as a means to express solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners. HR #605 may well lead more politicians around the world to join in efforts to end the persecution and support Falun Gong.

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Category: Perspectives