[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                               FALUN GONG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against 
the religious persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in mainland 
China. Falun Gong representatives believe that over 100,000 Falun Gong 
practitioners have been arrested. Tens of thousands have been thrown 
into labor camps without trial, and at least 1,000 healthy 
practitioners have been put into mental hospitals and have suffered 
illegal psychiatric abuse. It has also been reported that between 365 
and 1,600 people have been killed in police custody.
  It is thought that there are as many as 100 million Falun Gong 
practitioners worldwide. Falun Gong believers hold that this spiritual 
practice instills the three principles of truthfulness, compassion and 
tolerance. They would merely like the opportunity to peacefully 
practice their beliefs without fear of torture or imprisonment.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting Falun Gong 
and its practitioners' quest for peace and tolerance.

                          ____________________