[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      OPPOSING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S PERSECUTION OF FALUN GONG 
                             PRACTITIONERS

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                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, for years, Falun Gong practitioners have 
been persecuted at the hands of the Chinese government. Tens of 
thousands of these individuals have been tortured in prisons, labor 
camps, and mental hospitals for practicing their peaceful form of 
personal belief. I have been appalled by the stories I have head from 
Falun Gong members in Michigan of the horrific acts of violence towards 
Falun Gong practitioners. I believe we must do all we can to stop this 
persecution.
  The United States needs to take a stand against these atrocities, and 
send the message to the Chinese government that these terrible acts of 
violence will not be tolerated. We need to urge the Chinese government 
to release from detention those Falun Gong practitioners who are guilty 
of nothing less than practicing their faith. We must put an end to 
these abhorrent human rights abuses.
  I am a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 188, which expresses the sense of 
Congress that the Government of the People's Republic of China should 
cease its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. This measure passed 
the House overwhelmingly on July 24, 2002. I regret that I was unable 
to cast a vote on this resolution, as I was detained in my home state 
of Michigan when the measure came to the House floor. I would have 
voted ``yes'' on this resolution, and I am glad that the House acted in 
unity to condemn persecution of the Falun Gong.

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