GERALD E. CONNOLLY
WASHINGTON, DC.

May 13, 2020

Dear Falun Gong Practitioners,

I would like to join you in commemorating the 28?" World alun Dafa Day and express my unwavering
support for your advocacy on behalf of basic human rights and religious freedom.

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, emphasizes the moral principles of truthfulness, compassion, and
tolerance, and is practiced in at least 70 countries worldwide. Nevertheless, since July 1999 when the
Chinese Communist Party launched the persecution nationwide, we have seen increasing reports that
Falun Gong practitioners have been oppressed by the Chinese government, and that persecution continues
as the world reSponds to the pandemic.

Victims of the persecution have come to my of?ce to give their real life narratives of torture, suffering,
and damages experienced by their families. Some of my own constituents are themselves refugees of this
persecution. I understand that alun Gong practitioners have responded to the state-sanctioned violence
using entirely peaceful means. They have persistently educated Chinese citizens about the nature of their
practice and the persecution against it.

I want to thank you for sharing your stories and advocating the widely shared values that de?ne us both as
a nation and as a broader international community. Again, I join you in celebrating the 28th anniversary of
World alun Dafa Day and hope that this will be the year in which we see signi?cant progress in your
cause and encouraging changes take place in China.

Best Regards,

We??a/

Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress
I 1th District, Virginia

NOT PRINTED OR MAILED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE.

..
11