December 3, 2001 -- San Francisco, CA Friends of Falun Gong, a non-profit organization that is formed by non-Falun Gong practitioners hosted its first annual appreciation dinner on Saturday December 1 at Sequoia Yacht Club in the Bay Area. This event is meant to recognize a few distinguished persons and organizations who have fought for the human rights of those who practice Falun Gong, and who have supported the "SOS! Urgent Rescue" efforts for Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China.

About 100 Bay Area Falun Gong supporters and human rights advocates attended this event. They represent California government officials, human rights organizations, the overseas Chinese community, and members of "Friends of Falun Gong." Dr. George Lee, the Regional Director of Friends of Falun Gong hosted the evening's event. Dr. Lee is the US-China Business Institute Director at San Francisco State University. He was also the former Commercial Attache at the American Embassy in Beijing. "I am not a Falun Gong practitioner," said Dr. Lee, "Friends of Falun Gong represent the society's support for Falun Gong practitioners. We are here today to thank those who courageously stand up for justice and defend the basic human rights of the practitioners. But we need to do more."

Mr. Alan Adler, the executive director of Friends of Falun Gong, said in his speech, "I think if our government, the public, and all of us here continue to raise this Falun Gong issue again and again, and continue to put pressure on Chinese authorities, they won't be able to sustain this campaign any longer."

The awards were presented to Congressman Tom Lantos, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, San Jose Councilman Chuck Reed, Saratoga Councilman Stan Bogosian, San Francisco Board of Supervisor Chris Daly, Gilroy Mayor Thomas Springer, Amnesty International, and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

California Assembly Majority Leader Kevin Shelley had his staff present a proclamation to Friends of Falun Gong, "On behalf of the people of the State of California, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your many contributions and services in support of Falun Gong's human rights. Please accept this certificate of recognition as a symbol of my appreciation."

Margery Farrar from Congressman Tom Lantos' office also read a statement from the Congressman. "It will be the millions of Chinese people, both outside and inside the present Communist Party structure, who privately sympathize with the values and approach of Falun Gong practitioners and other peaceful, compassionate philosophies and religions, who inevitably, within most of our lifetime, will prevail in China."

About Friends of Falun Gong

Friends of Falun Gong is a U.S.-based non-profit organization of individuals who firmly support and advocate for freedom of belief and other human rights. Friends of Falun Gong seeks in particular to free the Falun Gong prisoners of conscience in the People's Republic of China and to end the persecution there.