(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners from Texas went to Washington D.C. and presented ten letters from state legislators on September 16 to Senator Ted Cruz, the initiator of S.817, the Falun Gong Protection Act. The practitioners thanked Senator Cruz for his support and asked to advance the legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Yu Hao, a Falun Gong practitioner from Texas, and his parents met with Senator Ted Cruz (second from left) in the Dirksen Senate Office Building to thank him for initiating the Falun Gong Protection Act.

The meeting took place during Senator Cruz’s coffee hour at 9:30 a.m. on September 16. Elected officials often hold such events to directly meet with their constituents. Yu presented Senator Cruz with the letters from the Texas lawmakers, including Texas Senate Majority Caucus Chair Angela Paxton and Texas House Majority Leader Tom Oliverson.

“The Falun Gong Protection Act is paid close attention not only in Washington D.C., but also in Texas,” Yu explained. In addition to these ten letters from state legislators, he and other practitioners collected over 10,000 signatures from Texans to support the legislation so that tens of millions of practitioners in China can enjoy freedom of belief.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R.1540, the Falun Gong Protection Act, on the afternoon of May 5, 2025. Initiated by Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, this would be the first time for the U.S. Congress to make a binding commitment to impose legal sanctions on those who participate in the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including the crime of live organ harvesting. The bill also demands that the CCP stop its persecution of Falun Gong immediately.

Letter From Chairman of Texas Senate Transportation Committee

Letter from Texas Senator Robert L. Nichols

Robert L. Nichols, chairman of the Texas Senate Transportation Committee and senior Republican senator from the 3rd District, has been re-elected to the Texas Senate nine times since 2007.

“I am writing to express my support for your legislation, the Falun Gong Protection Act, S.817, and to urge its advancement in the United States Senate,” he wrote. “On May 5, 2025, the United States House of Representatives passed the companion bill, House Resolution 1540, by unanimous consent. This bipartisan action demonstrates broad recognition of the grave human rights violations committed by the Chinese Communist Party against Falun Gong practitioners.

“I was pleased to support Senate Bill 1040 during the 88th Legislative Session in 2023, which prohibits health plans from covering organ transplants sourced from countries engaged in forced organ harvesting. It is fitting that Texas leadership should now extend to the federal level through your efforts,” continued Senator Nichols.

Texas Senate Majority Caucus Chair

Senator Angela Paxton

“Your bill provides a vital mechanism to hold perpetrators accountable, including sanctions, visa restrictions, and comprehensive State Department reporting. It also reaffirms America’s moral leadership in defending religious freedome and human dignity,” wrote Angela S Paxton, Republican Senator from the 8th District of Texas, Chair of the Texas Senate Majority Caucus and Vice Chair of the State Affairs Committee.

“In 2021 during the 87th Texas State Legislature, I championed Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 which condemned the horrific practice of forced organ harvesting,” she wrote.

Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee Vice Chairman

Senator Tan Parker

“I encourage you to continue mobilizing Senate colleagues so this historic legislation can be enacted without delay,” wrote Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee and Veterans Affairs Committee Vice Chairman Tan Parker, Republican of the 12th District. “Senator Cruz, thank you for your steadfast defense of freedom and for giving voice to the oppressed.”

Vice Chair of the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee

Senator Mayes Middleton

Mayes Middleton, a Republican state senator from the 11th District and vice chair of the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee, wrote, “The evidence of state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting is overwhelming. Investigations, including the 2019 China Tribunal, have determined that these abuses constitute crimes against humanity. As Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) stated, this is ‘one of the most pressing human rights crises of our time.’ Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) further described it as ‘a billion-dollar black market built on murder.’”

Majority Leader of the Texas House of Representatives

Representative Tom Oliverson

“For over two decades, people of faith have endured arbitrary detention, torture, and even forced organ harvesting simply because of their spiritual beliefs. History will remember how the world responded to such atrocities. The United States must not remain silent,” wrote Dr. Tom Oliverson, Majority Leader of the Texas House of Representatives and Senior Representative from the 15th District.

He encouraged Senator Cruz to work with other colleagues to pass this legislation in the U.S. Senate so that innocent lives are protected.

Representative Steve Toth

Congressman Steve Toth

Steve Toth, senior congressman from the Texas House of Representatives’ 15th District, wrote, “The persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party is a well-documented violation of international norms and basic human rights. Reports of forced organ harvesting, arbitrary detention, and other abuses demand a clear and decisive response from the United States.

“Your bill represents an essential step in holding perpetrators accountable, restricting U.S. entry for abusers, and ensuring that American institutions do not become complicit in such crimes,” he continued.

Representative Terri Leo Wilson

Terri Leo Wilson, Representative of the 15th District

“Advancing this legislation in the Senate is now a vital step toward ensuring that the United States holds perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable and stands firmly against the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners,” wrote Terri Leo Wilson, Representative of the 15th District of the Texas House of Representatives.

Representative Wes Virdell

Representative Wes Virdell

Wes Virdell, a member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 53rd District, also wrote to Senator Cruz to support the Falun Gong Protection Act and hoped the Senate would pass it soon.

Representative Denise Villalobos

Representative Denise Villalobos

Representative Denise Villalobos from the Texas 34th District wrote to Senator Cruz, “I commend your work on this vital issue and stand ready to support you as the Falun Gong Protection Act advances in the Senate.”

Representative Mike Olcott

Mike Olcott, Texas State Representative from the 60th District

“This legislation is urgently needed to confront the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including credible evidence of forced organ harvesting,” wrote Representative Mike Olcott.

“As a Texas State Representative, I deeply appreciate your commitment to religious freedom and human dignity. I ask you to continue using your influence to rally your colleagues, expedite Senate action, and make this bill a reality. Your leadership sends a powerful message that America will not turn a blind eye to persecution and atrocities abroad,” he continued.