(Minghui.org) July 20, 2024 is the 25th anniversary of the Falun Gong practitioners’ efforts to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. Practitioners in Texas held a rally in front of the Austin City Hall calling for an end to the CCP’s persecution. Several elected officials wrote to support Falun Gong and condemn the CCP’s brutality.
Six elected officials write to support Falun Gong and condemn the CCP’s brutality.
Those who sent letters of support include Brian Babin, Member of Congress, Texas State Senator Angela Paxton, Texas State Senator Charles Perry, Texas State Representative Jacey Jetton, Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen, and Texas State Representative Tom Oliverson.
Member of Congress: It Is the Duty of the United States to Bravely Resist Oppression
Brian Babin, D.D.S., Member of Congress
Letter from Representative Brian Babin
The letter reads, “The safeguarding of human rights should be a fundamental aspect in the formation of U.S. policies. The U.S. embarked on a journey towards a brighter future, spurred by the devastating events of World War II and the Holocaust over seventy years ago. In 1975, the Helsinki Accords, ratified by President Gerald Ford, set forth the 'respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief.'
“In the current global landscape, the Chinese Communist Party is committing grave human rights abuses against the Falun Gong. It is our duty to express our disapproval of these atrocious actions. According to numerous reports, Falun Gong prisoners of conscience are being killed to support the illegal organ trade. This is absolutely unacceptable. The U.S. must stand up against such transgressions and advocate for the human rights of the Falun Gong.
“I will continuously monitor this situation and keep myself updated on any legislative actions related to the rights of the Falun Gong in China. I am committed to the worldwide struggle for human rights and will denounce the political persecution of ethnic and religious minorities wherever it occurs. It is the duty of the United States to bravely resist oppression and champion the rights of those who are oppressed.”
Texas State Senator: I Will Continue to Work with You
Texas State Senator Angela Paxton
Letter from Texas State Senator Angela Paxton
The letter reads, “Unfortunately, I am unable to be with you in person at the Texas Capitol today. However, I do not want to miss the opportunity to thank you for standing up for human dignity, specifically, spreading awareness of the horrific practice of forced organ harvesting.
“In 2021, I had the privilege of authoring Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 to lead the 87th Texas Legislature in condemning the practice of forced organ harvesting and educating Texans of potential ethical risks of transplant tourism.
“Shirley Hu, a friend of mine for some time now, first brought the issue of forced organ harvesting to my attention. She introduced me to a number of people with close connections to family members and friends who had personally suffered from this atrocity.
“Shirley invited numerous witnesses to the Texas Capitol to testify before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The Senators were truly moved and deeply disturbed by what they heard from these witnesses. With unanimous support from the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives, Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 successfully passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
“Building upon the work of Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, during the most recent regular legislative session, Senate Bill 1040 took an additional step to proactively combat forced organ harvesting by preventing Texas health insurance providers from being complicit in this horrific practice. I am honored to have co-authored Senate Bill 1040 in partnership with my colleague, State Senator Lois Kolkhorst. This bill passed unanimously through both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives and was then signed into law in June of 2023 by Governor Abbott.
“I commend your efforts to eradicate the horrific practice of forced organ harvesting and I thank you for the opportunity to continue to partner with you in this important effort.”
Texas State Senator Charles Perry: I Hope to See These Atrocities Come to a Swift End
Texas State Senator Charles Perry
Letter from Texas State Senator Charles Perry
The letter reads, “I am writing this letter to express my strong support for the Southern USA Falun Dafa Association's efforts to expose the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and to bring this issue to the forefront of public discourse. It is through events like this, that we can educate our communities, influence policy, and work towards ending the Chinese Communist Party's practice of forced organ harvesting.
“Through this advocacy, the Texas Legislature was able to pass Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 and Senate Bill 1040, which together sent a strong message that Texas will not be complicit in these crimes against humanity. The persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other vulnerable groups in China must end and this legislation is a good step in the right direction.
“Texas will continue to condemn the false imprisonment, forced organ harvesting, and executions of Falun Gong practitioners and I hope to see these atrocities come to a swift end. The continued commitment of the Southern USA Falun Dafa Association is crucial in maintaining awareness on this critical human rights issue.”
Texas State Representative Jacey Jetton: By Raising Your Voice And Telling Your Stories, Evil Loses Its Cover
Representative Jacey Jetton of Texas House of Representatives
Letter from Representative Jacey Jetton
The letter reads, “Thank you for shining a light on the religious persecution by the Chinese Communist Party for the past 25 years. Events like today’s remind us that our enemy persists in the shadows and thrives in silence. By raising your voice and telling your stories, evil loses its cover, and the truth sways hearts and minds.
“Last session, I joined my colleagues in passing SB 1040. It bans the import of human organs from China in hopes that it may lead to the end of this horrendous Human Rights abuse. For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has failed to meet its responsibility to protect its citizens. Instead, it devalues and steals from the bodies of its perceived enemies. Showing its depraved nature, it harvests the organs of prisoners to profit from desperate individuals in the West looking for a second chance.
“As you gather to remember the lives lost and destroyed for their religious beliefs and practices, know that I stand with you in pursuing religious freedom wherever you are in the world.”
Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen: The State Of Texas Is Behind You, And Supports You
Representative Matt Shaheen of Texas House of Representatives
Letter from Representative Matt Shaheen
The letter reads, “The state of Texas has a very firm position of condemnation of the practice of organ harvesting and other actions targeting Falun Gong and other religious entities. The Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate and the Governor condemn this heinous practice. When I laid legislation out in committee last session, we had some very courageous people come and testify. They spoke on what had happened to their families, friends, and what they had experienced themselves. It was very emotional time. Testimony was also given outside of individual’s native tongue, which made it that much more powerful. But it is everyday citizens in the state of Texas that make a difference and they made a difference during this past legislative session.
“In the United States we uphold our Constitution which forms our federal government and, of course, forms our Bill of Rights. We set aside certain freedoms that the government cannot interfere with and I am sure you are aware of those freedoms, such as freedom of speech and religion. It’s that freedom of religion that extends to all faiths and all beliefs. It really means that you can believe whatever you want, and whether your government agrees with you or not is totally irrelevant. Your government has no right at all to persecute you for your belief. That feeling is very strong in the United States and we have to always protect this freedom.
“The state of Texas is behind you, and supports you, and appreciates all that you are doing. We stand with you - the 150 members of the Texas House, the 31 members of the Texas Senate, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House. It is our position that we fully condemn this practice. It is our job, every leader here, to make sure that this never happens in the United States or any other country, and that it is strongly condemned and that it doesn’t spread and it contracts until it finally goes away to make this horrific practice irrelevant around the globe.
“That takes all of us, standing strong for what is right and speaking out against the hatred and what is occurring in communist China.
“Thank you so much for letting me be part of your advocacy on this important issue.”
Texas State Representative Tom Oliverson: We Must Uphold The Values Of Freedom, Dignity, And Human Rights
Representative Tom Oliverson of Texas House of Representatives
Letter from Representative Tom Oliverson
The letter reads, “I deeply regret that I cannot be there with you all tomorrow as you gather to raise awareness of the 25-year-long persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against its peoples. I am writing to express my deep concern and condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing brutal practices, especially the heinous act of forced organ harvesting.
“My journey into understanding these horrors began with the advocacy efforts of the Southern USA Falun Dafa Association, which exposed me to the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners and Uyghur Muslims. Through their work, I became acutely aware of the plight faced by Falun Gong practitioners, many of whom fled political and religious persecution in China and relocated to the Houston area, which I have the honor to represent in the Texas House.
“Hearing their harrowing accounts of forced organ harvesting-along the daily horrors faced by those imprisoned in Chinese detention camps-has deeply disturbed me. Several survivors of these camps have shared their powerful stories with me, describing the daily horrors of being a religious and political prisoner. They recounted how often those in the camps would suddenly disappear-never to be seen again. The distress of knowing what was happening to those who vanished, and being unable to do anything to stop it, left a profound impact on me.
“In response, my colleagues and I have taken legislative action to combat these human rights abuses. In 2021, we passed a resolution condemning China’s forced organ harvesting practices. Our most significant victory came with Senate Bill 1040, which prohibits health benefit plans from covering organ transplants performed in countries known to participate in forced organ harvesting, including China. In addition, this spring I traveled to Washington D.C. to speak at an event hosted by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to encourage Congress to take similar actions at the federal level.
“I recognize the affect the horrors inflicted by the Chinese Communist Party has had on many of you. Since my first time hearing these stories, I have and will continue to take a firm stance against these brutal practices and advocate for justice for the victims. We must uphold the values of freedom, dignity, and human rights and not turn a blind eye to the suffering of millions.”
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