LETTER: Thanks for vote on Falun Gong resolution

On June 13, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 343, which expresses concern regarding persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in the People’s Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups, including Christians, Tibetans and Uighurs.

The resolution further states that it calls on the regime to immediately end the 17-year persecution of Falun Gong, and release all Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience. It calls for a credible, transparent and independent investigation into China’s organ transplantation system.

Falun Gong is an ancient Chinese self improvement practice that follows the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. It was banned by the Chinese regime in 1999 because of its popularity, and practitioners are arrested, tortured and sometimes killed for their belief. It is now practiced by over 100 million people throughout the world.

The resolution garnered strong bipartisan support with 185 co-sponsors from congressmen throughout the country. Thanks to Rep. Zinke for voting for this resolution.

—Katherine Combes, Kalispell