(Clearwisdom.net) On April 7, 2004, William Ryan, Chairman of Board of Legislator, and George Latimer, Legislator, Westchester County, New York, presented a proclamation to Falun Gong practitioners. Mr. Erping Zhang, spokesman of Falun Gong, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Falun Gong practitioners, and spoke at the ceremony to expressing his gratitude for the proclamation. Representatives of Falun Gong practitioners from New York State and Westchester County presented at the ceremony and expressed thanks to the Board of Legislators. Below is the proclamation.

Whereas, Throughout its history, Westchester County has been fortunate to have men and women who give of their time and talent for the betterment of the community, and

Whereas, Falun Gong is a peaceful and nonviolent form of personal belief and practice with million of adherents in the People's Republic of China and elsewhere in the world, and

Whereas, The government of the People's Republic of China has forbidden Falun Gong practitioners to practice their belief and has systematically attempted to eradicate the practice and those who follow it, and

Whereas, This policy violates the Constitution of the People's Republic of China as well as the international covenant of civil and political rights and the universal declaration of human rights, and

Whereas, the campaign of persecution has been reported to include torture and other atrocities, with United States citizens subjected to arbitrary detention and imprisonment, and such campaign is carried out by officials at all levels, and has permeated to every segment of society and every level of government in the People's Republic of China. Now, Therefore, Be it

Resolved, That the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and all harassment of citizens and residents of the United States who practice Falun Gong should cease, And, Be It Further

Resolved, That the United States Government should use every appropriate public and private forum to urge the government of the People's Republic of China to: (A) release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners and put an end to the practice of torture and other cruel treatment and (B) to abide by the international covenant on civil and political rights and the universal declaration of human rights by allowing Falun gong practitioners to pursue their personal beliefs, And, Be It Further

Resolved, That the members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Join with Legislator of George Latimer, representing District 7, as proponents of this proclamation, And, Be It Further

Resolved, That the text of this proclamation be carried throughout the county of Westchester for all people of good will to be forever known.

Given Under My Hand and Seal this 5^th day of January, 2004.

William Ryan
Chairman

George Latimer
Legislator