(Minghui.org) Editor's note: Below is Congressman Donald Payne Jr.'s speech delivered in person on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 17, 2014, at the rally marking 15 years of the persecution of Falun Gong.

Congressman Payne from New Jersey serves on the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Small Business.

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. speaks at the rally on July 17, 2014, at the U.S. Capitol.

***Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me to speak here today about the ongoing attempt by the Chinese government to eliminate Falun Gong. Presently in China, there's great injustice against the citizens who have and continue to practice Falun Gong.

Falun Gong emphasize improvement on health and wellbeing. It follows the belief of the nature of the universe in the virtues of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance. Followers of Falun Gong attempt to discard negative attachments and habits. They are seekers of positivity and elevating their moral character through exercises and meditation.

It is a peaceful practice belonging to the Buddha school. Once practiced by over 60 million people, at first the practice of Falun Gong was accepted by the Chinese people and the government.

Under the communist party of China, followers are seen as dangerous and threatening, a dishonor to society that should be punished for their behavior.

For decades, authorities have alarmed the public and private space, schools, households, villages and businesses in order to “transform” Falun Gong practitioners, believing that “re-education” was the key.

The Chinese government continues to attempt to eradicate Falun Gong through force, religious conversion programs, and initiatives.

Falun Gong practitioners continue to be held in prisons, detention centers, and forced labor camps, under deplorable conditions, many simply for their beliefs.

This kind of persecution and torment against peaceful people must stop!

Beatings are customary in these torture centers, given multiple times a day to those who are held captive. Torture is commonplace for those who simply express their desire to participate in the spiritual movement of Falun Gong. Sexual abuse is routine while being held in custody, damaging the body, the psyche, and the spirit of these victims.

Not only are these followers being imprisoned under appalling conditions, but there's a concern and evidence of body harvesting of organ transplants.

Chinese authorities have admitted that organs are not only harvested from executed prisoners, but also of those Falun Gong followers who have been kept in captivity for an extended period of time.

Falun Gong participants' organs have been dissected and stripped from their bodies, in order to meet the need of the vast organ transplantation system. These Falun Gong followers are sacrificed as living donors. Their vital organs are removed at the convenience of the transplant recipient.

We should be expressing international outrage at the trafficking of organs in China and speak out against these human rights violations which go against religious conviction and bodily integrity.

Those who practice Falun Gong have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed for decades. We must continue to speak out against this injustice that these citizens face every single day.

I believe that every person should be permitted to practice any religion they find suitable for their conscience, their wholeness, and their wellbeing. It is a human right. We will continue to fight for the human rights that every citizen of China should be able to experience.

Once again, you have my total commitment to continue to fight on your behalf to practice Falun Gong. It is your right as a human being to do so.

Thank you for your time.