I'd like to welcome you all to Washington. I'm sorry I can't be here in person to wish you well, so I'm thankful that Falun Gong representatives from my state of Colorado will share a few words with you that I've written.

I stand with you in speaking out against the religious persecution of Falun gong practitioners in China. Falun Gong representatives believe that over 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested. It has also been reported that tens of thousands have been thrown into labor camps without trial, that healthy practitioners have been put into mental hospitals and have suffered illegal psychiatric abuse, and that hundreds if not thousands 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. Their ability to practice their beliefs both in China and in countries around the world should not be obstructed.

I know my colleagues in Congress join me in supporting Falun Gong and its practitioners' quest for peace and tolerance. Thanks to all of you for your relentless fight for religious freedom in China.