Elected Officials from Five Continents Celebrate the 31st Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s Public Introduction - Part 1

(Minghui.org) The 24th World Falun Dafa Day is on May 13, 2023 and elected officials from North and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania sent proclamations or congratulatory letters to recognize the significant contribution of Falun Dafa and the founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, to their communities over the years. The date coincides with the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. The American flag was raised on the U.S. Capitol and many state capitols to commend Mr. Li’s effort in promoting the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance to the world. 

National Flag Raised in the U.S. Capitol to Recognize Falun Dafa and Its Founder 

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick requested the National Flag be raised over the U.S. Capitol to honor Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa Day. 

U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick requested two national flags fly over the Capitol on May 13. On May 25, Falun Dafa practitioner Jennie Sheeks from Philadelphia received the two flags and a certificate of commendation from Congressman Fitzpatrick. 

The two U.S. flags and the certificates from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick 

One of the certificates reads: “This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol at the request of the Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Congress, May 13, 2023, in special recognition of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder and leader of Falun Dafa, introducing Falun Dafa to the world and taught the core principles of Falun Dafa - Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance (Zhen, Shan, Ren). Your legend will continue to touch and instill confidence in our next generation of leaders around the world.” 

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro authorized the raising of an American flag on May 13, 2023 at the state capitol in Harrisburg, in recognition of Falun Dafa’s founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi’s, outstanding contribution in spreading Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to the world and Pennsylvania. 

On May 13, 2023, Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro authorized the raising of an American flag at the state capitol in Harrisburg, in recognition of Mr. Li Hongzhi. 

The U.S. State Department Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom posted a statement on Twitter on May 13, and the statement reads, “I am pleased to join the Falun Gong community in recognizing World Falun Dafa Day, a time to remember the peaceful ideals of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance in solidarity with the many practitioners around the world who continue to suffer for their beliefs.” 

U.S. Ambassador at Large Rashad Hussain posted a statement on Twitter. 

Seventeen Flags Raised and 70 Congratulatory Letters to Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day 

During this year’s World Falun Dafa Day observances, as of May 25, a total of 17 cities in Canada held flag-raising and lighting ceremonies. In addition, the Canadian Falun Dafa Association received more than 70 congratulatory letters from government officials at all levels. 

A Canadian MP said that the world welcomes Falun Dafa and it is one of the greatest achievements of the 21st century. A mayor and his council members learned the Falun Dafa exercises after hosting the flag-raising ceremony and reading the proclamation. Another mayor shared the flag-raising ceremony video on his social media to share the moment with his constituents. 

A Falun Dafa flag was raised in front of the Town Hall in Amherstburg, Canada at 11 a.m. on May 5, 2023, to commemorate World Falun Dafa Day. Mayor Michael Prue hosted the ceremony and read his proclamation. He and six other councilors then learned the Falun Dafa exercises. 

US Senators and Congress Members Honor World Falun Dafa Day 

Two senior Senators from Texas, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, sent congratulatory letters to the Southern Falun Dafa Association. They praised Falun Dafa for its contributions to the community, thanked practitioners for sharing their traditions with the people of Texas, and praised practitioners for their perseverance in the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. Senator Ted Cruz wrote, “It is an honor to commemorate this occasion celebrated by more than 100 million people worldwide.”

Senators for Texas John Cornyn and Ted Cruz 

U.S. Congressmen Mike Kelly, Shontel Brown, and Glenn F. Ivey issued Certificates of Congressional Recognition for Falun Dafa Day. The certificate issued by Congressman Glenn Ivey reads, “The Office of Congressman Glenn Ivey recognizes the significance of Falun Dafa Day, an important holiday celebrating the values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.”

U.S. Congressmen Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania issued a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for World Falun Dafa Day.

U.S. Congressman Glenn F. Ivey of Maryland issued a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for Falun Dafa Day.

U.S. Congresswoman Shontel Brown of Ohio issued a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Falun Dafa Day.

Three members of Congress from New York sent letters to recognize Falun Dafa Day. From left to right: Congressman Hakeem Jeffries for the 8th District, Congressman Patrick Ryan for the 18th District, Congresswoman Grace Meng for the 6th District

House Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton from Washington DC sent a letter to support practitioners and supporters in the District of Columbia and worldwide who are working to end the persecution of practitioners.

Letter from House Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton from Washington DC

Three States Issue Resolutions to Commemorate World Falun Dafa Day 

New York State Senate Resolution 821

On April 25, 2023, the New York State Senate issued Resolution 821, commemorating the 24th Annual World Falun Dafa Day Celebration to be observed on May 13. This is the eleventh year that the New York State Senate has issued a resolution to commemorate World Falun Dafa Day. 

Resolution from Missouri Senator Justin D. Brown (left) and Resolution from Missouri House Representative Tara J. Peters, co-sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew and Rep. Bennie Cook

To recognize World Falun Dafa Day, the Missouri Senate issued Resolution 358 on April 18, 2023, and the House of Representatives issued Resolution 2571 on May 1. 

Texas Senate Resolution No. 550

On May 11, 2023, the Texas Senate issued Resolution No. 550 sponsored by Senator Angela Paxton of the Eighth District to celebrate the 24th World Falun Dafa Day and commemorate the 31st anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa.

Local Government Officials Proclaim World Falun Dafa Day 

Twenty government officials in Pennsylvania and Delaware sent 16 letters of congratulations on Falun Dafa Day. Top row from left: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro; Congressman Mike Kelly; Pennsylvania Senators Jay Costa, Devlin Robinson, and Lindsey Williams; and Pennsylvania State Representative Mary Isaacson.Second row from left: Pennsylvania State Representatives Regina G. Young, Robert M. Mercuri, Nickolas Pisciottano, Mandy Steele, and Ryan A. Bizzarr; Delaware House Speaker Peter C. Schwartzkopf; and Delaware State Representative Paul S. Baumbach.Third row from left: Delaware State Representatives Debra Heffernan and Kevin S. Hensley, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke, and Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla.

Governor Joe Lombardo (top) and Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony of Nevada presented certificates of recognition to Mr. Li Hongzhi for his contribution to people’s health.

Governor Joe Lombardo and Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony of Nevada, presented certificates of recognition to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, thanking him for his contribution to people’s physical and mental health.

A Falun Dafa Day flag was raised over Milwaukee’s city hall at 8 a.m. on May 13, 2023. 

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi proclaimed May 13, 2023 as Falun Dafa Day. Milwaukee City Common Council President Jose G. Perez signed a resolution to celebrate Falun Dafa’s introduction to the world, and announced May 13, 2023 as Falun Dafa Day in Milwaukee. On that day the city celebrated the contribution of Falun Dafa to the improvement of the community’s personal physical and mental health.

Numerous officials in New York State proclaimed the 24^th World Falun Dafa Day (Epoch Times).

In addition, numerous officials in New York commended Falun Dafa, the mayors of eleven cities in the Dallas region of Texas commended Falun Dafa, five cities in Colorado and five cities in Ohio issued proclamations for Falun Dafa, and ten elected officials in the New England region congratulated World Dafa Day.

Government officials in the states of Illinois, Washington, Maryland, Kentucky, Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona also issued proclamations for World Falun Dafa Day.

Seven cities in the Dallas area proclaimed Falun Dafa Day, and the mayors of four cities sent congratulatory letters to commend Falun Dafa’s contribution to society. (From left to right, top to bottom) Nick Stanley of the City of Aledo, Wes Mays of the City of Coppell; Linda Martin of the City of Euless, Henry Lessner of the City of Fairview, TJ Gilmore of the City of Lewisville, Curtis Cornelious of the City of Little Elm, Michael Evans of the City of Mansfield, George Fuller of the City of McKinney, Jay Northcut of the City of Melissa, Cindy Aughinbaugh of the City of Shady Shores, and David Hill of the City of Waxahachie. 

The Falun Dafa Day flag was raised in front of Milton’s town hall on May 1, 2023 to celebrate the upcoming Falun Dafa Day. Mayor Gord Krantz hosted the flag raising ceremony. The flag was flown for 16 days.

Mayor Gord Krantz, 85, said that a better future will arrive. 

Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais presides over the flag-raising ceremony in front of City Hall at noon on May 12, 2023.

The High Level Bridge in Edmonton, Alberta, was lit on May 1 to celebrate the 24th Falun Dafa Day.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe of Ottawa, Canada’s capital, proclaimed May 13 as Falun Dafa Day. 

Twenty-two elected officials from Alberta, Canada sent letters to commemorate World Falun Dafa Day. First row left to right: Greg McLean MP, Pat Kelly MP, Ron Liepert MP, Tom Kmiec MP, Stephanie Kusie MP, Blaine Calkins MP, Rachael Thomas MP, Ziad Aboultaif MP, Michael Cooper MP, Chris Warkentin MP, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Councilor Raj Dhaliwal, Councilor Gian-Carlo Carra, Councilor Andre Chabot, Mayor Ken Johnston, Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Mayor Blair Painter, Mayor Jack Van Rijn, Mayor Don Anderberg, Mayor Corrie DiManno, Mayor Sean Krausert, and Reeve Crystal Kissel.