[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CHINA MUST END PERSECUTION OF THE FALUN GONG

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 2018 marks the 19th year since the 
Communist government in Beijing banned the practice of Falun Gong. We 
must remember how the Chinese government has purposefully denied the 
human rights of so many over the last 20 years.
  The Falun Gong movement stands for some of mankind's most respected 
virtues: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese 
government saw this peaceful movement growing, and rather than embrace 
it, they have taken every possible step to destroy it. So the 
Communists took away Falun Gong's most basic human right: the right to 
live and worship freely. The Chinese government's top priority is not 
its citizens, but staying in power at all costs, even if it means 
persecuting the most peaceful among them.
  Beijing's evil knows no limits. We know they murder many Falun Gong 
practitioners and harvested their organs for profit. We know this 
shameful practice is going on, because brave men and women have come 
forward, including family members, practitioners, and even victims 
themselves. The evidence is undeniable.
  This practice is a billion dollar business for the Chinese 
government. Organ harvesting is the number one source of revenue for 
Chinese medical centers. The Chinese government makes a profit while 
silencing a group it sees as threatening. They think they cannot lose. 
But they can't silent us. We know what is going on behind closed doors. 
And we will not remain silent.
  Recent reports suggest that tens of thousands of transplants annually 
are funding the construction of new hospital wings devoted solely to 
these illicit procedures. The Chinese government recognizes only a 
fraction of these transplants, they claim most of their transplant 
organs come from prisoners on death row. The report verified that 712 
medical institutions perform transplants in China, but estimates from 
the Executive Chairman of the China Organ Transplant Alliance are well 
over 1,000, many of which are undocumented. According to their own 
staff, some of these hospitals perform thousands of transplants every 
year.
  Obviously, the Chinese Communist Party is lying. Dishonesty is 
standard practice for the CCP. And yet, we will keep fighting back. 
This fight has not been easy. Many have loved ones in jail right now. 
Others have been tortured. Others have simply disappeared.
  I applaud all who continue to stand up for what is right. Their 
presence is a testament that no matter how hard Beijing tries to 
eliminate the Falun Gong, they will fail. I am proud to stand with them 
after all they have endured.
  As a former judge from Texas, justice is of the utmost importance to 
me. I feel a duty to speak out against the most egregious wrongs 
committed against innocent people. The world must recognize China as an 
enemy of human rights. The Falun Gong practice peace. We must protect 
the rights given to all of us by our Creator.
  And that's just the way it is.

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