U.S. Congressman from Virginia Gerry Connolly, a tenacious lawmaker known for his fierce defense of democracy and human rights, passed away on May 21 at the age of 75. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his loved ones. Connolly had been battling cancer since November and had recently stepped back from his congressional duties while undergoing chemotherapy.
In a career that spanned decades — from chairing the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to serving in Congress since 2008 — Connolly became an enduring symbol of principled leadership and unshakable dedication to both his constituents in Virginia and across the U.S.
A champion of the people
“We all looked up to him. He was Fairfax,” Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia Palchik told WTOP News. “I can’t imagine a world without him.”
Known for his sharp wit and even sharper sense of justice, Connolly’s influence stretched from local infrastructure projects like the Silver Line extension to Dulles Airport, to deeply personal acts of solidarity with persecuted individuals across the globe.
“He was a skilled statesman on the international stage, an accomplished legislator in Congress, a visionary executive on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a fierce defender of democracy, an environmental champion, and a mentor to so many,” his family’s statement read.
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But for many in Virginia’s Asian-American community, especially Falun Gong practitioners and human rights activists, Connolly was more than a politician; he was an ally.
A true activist
Ms. Tang, director of the Asian Community Service Center (ACSC), recalled her first encounter with Connolly nearly two decades ago, when he was chair of the Fairfax County Board. After a meeting, she approached him about human rights abuses in China, particularly the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. To her surprise, Connolly readily agreed to a sit-down discussion.
“Before that, I had tried to speak with other local elected officials, but some turned me down, saying ‘it’s not a local issue,’” she told Vision Times. “But Connolly agreed right away.”
This, Tang added, was possibly because of his background as a former member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “We highly appreciate his leadership in this regard — later on, many Virginia local elected officials joined him in lending their voices and support to the fight against human rights abuses in China.”
During that meeting, local practitioners shared with him their stories of peaceful spiritual practice and horrific persecution. Ms. Tang described how her own mother had been detained in China six times for practicing Falun Gong and was once forced to make a televised confession under threat of imprisonment. Connolly listened intently, recalling his days as a Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer. “He told us, ‘I’ve long known how evil the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is,’” Ms. Tang said. “He promised to help us as much as he could — and he kept that promise.”
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It also incorporates meditation exercises and moral teachings to elevate the moral standing of practitioners. Despite being peaceful in nature, the CCP launched a large-scale suppression of the group in 1999 after seeing its popularity, which was estimated at 70 to 100 million practitioners, as a threat to its authoritarian control. The persecution has continued unabated for over two decades.
True to his word, Connolly went on to issue commendations to local Falun Gong practitioners, sponsor key human rights resolutions, and routinely issue statements condemning religious persecution. He was a co-sponsor of House Resolution 343 — the first congressional resolution formally denouncing the Chinese regime’s forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience, including Falun Gong adherents.
“He did a great introduction of it in the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s meeting right before it went on floor to be voted on,” said Ms. Yang, a practitioner who was present during the event.
RELATED: ‘No More Ignoring It’: House Unanimously Passes Falun Gong Protection Act, Urges Senate to Act
“Victims of the persecution have come to my office 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,” he once wrote in a statement in support of Falun Gong. “I understand that Falun Gong practitioners have responded to the state-sanctioned violence using entirely peaceful means.”
A statesman rooted in community
His commitment wasn’t performative. Nearly every year, Connolly’s office issued statements of support during annual Falun Dafa Day celebrations in May and July 20 rallies marking the persecution’s anniversary. On July 4th parades, he greeted Falun Gong parade participants warmly, always encouraging them to keep going.
In fact, just two days before his passing, Connolly’s office arranged for an American flag to be flown over the Capitol to honor World Falun Dafa Month. It was a quiet, symbolic gesture that epitomized his lifelong support for the oppressed.
“He always brought a sense of fairness to every fight and was willing to stand up to anybody. He hated bullies,” said Sen. Mark Warner, a longtime friend. “If you were in a political fight, or any kind of fight, you wanted him in the foxhole with you.”
James Walkinshaw, his former chief of staff and now a Fairfax County Supervisor, believed Connolly’s years in seminary school shaped his public service. “He really felt like he, as a leader in the community, had a duty to serve all of us with every fiber of his being,” Walkinshaw said. “That impact is etched in every corner of Northern Virginia.”
A legacy of principle and compassion
Abigail Spanberger, former U.S. Representative, recalled his warmth and wit — even during his final months. “It was clear that his illness was taking a toll on him,” she said of their last meeting in March, “but he was able to muster all the energy one would want to see out of him.” She added, “You could always learn from him, because he was such a great communicator… imminently human and kind.”
Rep. Eugene Vindman, who represents Virginia’s 7th District, remembered Connolly not just as a mentor but as a source of personal support. “Gerry supported me and my family when I was his constituent standing up for the Constitution… I know his legacy will always challenge me and my colleagues to put our constituents first, never back down from a fight, and stand up in the name of democracy,” Vindman said. “May your memory be a blessing, my friend.”
Beyond his work in human rights and governance, Connolly was a passionate supporter of cultural diversity and fostering inclusivity. He never missed the Lunar New Year celebration hosted each year by the local Asian-American community at Jackson Middle School. He often expressed his appreciation for Chinese calligraphy and loved taking photos with the dragon dancers.
“He loved the dragon,” recalled one community organizer.
For Ms. Tang and many others, Connolly’s legacy will live on — not just in his policy wins, but in the lives of those he touched through acts of support and integrity. “He was truly a man of his word. I’m heartbroken that I didn’t get a chance to visit him one last time,” she said. “But I believe that all the good he did for us will bring him peace. I hope more officials can be like him — because helping Falun Gong practitioners is really about upholding American values.”
