(Minghui.org) Editor's note: In addition to his speech in support of Falun Gong practitioners' 15 years of peaceful resistance to the persecution, Congressman Chris Smith also issued a letter of support commending practitioners for their efforts to help Chinese people quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations.

In his letter, Congressman Smith referred to the social phenomenon as “the Tuidang Movement.” Tuidang in Chinese means quitting the Party.

Below is his letter.

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July 17, 2014

Dear Friends,

I would like to welcome the Falun Dafa practitioners from different cities of the United States to Washington DC. I would also like to welcome practitioners from the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area and those from every state and nation here today.

The injustices Falun Dafa practitioners have suffered for the last 15 years is the great shame of China's recent history. By working together for freedom and by speaking clearly and forcefully for human rights, we can build a better future in China.

I also want to publicly commend those in the Falun Dafa community who work so hard to expose injustice in the name of peace, particularly the participants of the Tuidang Movement for their bravery in stepping forward and working to bring freedom to China.

The Tuidang Movement offers the Chinese people an opportunity to free themselves from the shackles of communism and embrace a better future, irrespective of social status, religion, belief, gender and ethnicity. Through their persistent efforts, they have formed one of the largest grassroots movements in history. I want to thank them for their work.

The gross violations of human rights experienced by Falun Dafa practitioners in China are totally unacceptable. The ongoing crackdown has been pervasive and severe, causing untold thousands of deaths. I will continue to work to expose the Chinese government's brutal 15-year persecution of Falun Dafa.

I plan to re-introduce legislation that imposes sanctions against Chinese officials and members of their families who derive benefit from political acts that target democratic activists, persecute ethnic minorities, or participate in the trafficking and forcible return of North Korean refugees or the war on women, forced abortions and sterilizations.

My legislation will also bar entry to the U.S. for members of any branch of the security police who have participated in the violent repression of individuals or leaders of religious practices, democracy advocates, human rights lawyers, workers' rights advocates or independent media, journalists, or Internet users.

I believe a better day will come to China and it will come through the efforts of determined advocates for freedom. I will continue to fight for the freedom and basic rights of the Falun Dafa and all those in China who continue to have their human rights and fundamental freedom abused by the Chinese Communist dictatorship.

Sincerely,

Christopher H. Smith