(Minghui.org) May 13, 2024 marks the 25^th World Falun Dafa Day and the 32^nd anniversary since Falun Dafa was first taught publicly. Over 40 elected officials in New York State have sent proclamations and congratulatory letters in honor of the occasion, including leaders from both parties in the Congress and State Assembly, the head of New York City Council, and officials at the county, city and town level.

These elected members proclaimed the joint celebration of Falun Dafa Day, Falun Dafa Month and commended the fundamental principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance taught by Dafa in guiding hundreds of millions of people in improving their spirituality, promoting overall well-being and inner peace. At the same time, they thanked Falun Dafa practitioners for their outstanding contributions to the larger New York State community.

New York State Senator Monica R.Martinez wrote in her letter: “Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) has become a guiding light across cultural boundaries.”

David G. McDonough, member of New York State Assembly praised Falun Dafa as a cultivation group that is “worthy of the respect of the great New York State.”

The New York State Senate passed Resolution No 2354 on May 7, 2024, celebrating, “The 25^th World Falun Dafa day on May 13, 2024.” This is the 12^th year that the New York State Senate passed resolutions celebrating World Falun Dafa Day. Eight members of the New York State Senate issued proclamations and letters to the Falun Dafa Association of New York congratulating them on World Falun Dafa Day.

Eight members of the New York State Senate issued proclamations and letters to the Falun Dafa Association in New York in celebration of World Falun Dafa Day. Top row from left: Andrea Stewart-Cousins representing the District 35, Andrew J.Lanza representing the 24^th District, James Skoufis representing the 42^nd District, Pamela A. Helming representing the 54^th District, Patrick M.Gallivan representing the 60^th District, Monica R. Martinez representing the 4^th District, Jack Martins representing the 7^th District, Jake Ashby representing the 43^rd District

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Majority Leader of the New York State Senate: I Salute Falun Gong for Persisting in Their Belief and Opposing the Persecution

Proclamation from Andrea Stewart-Cousins representing the 35^th District

Andrea Stewart-Cousins Majority Leader of the New York State Senate representing the 35^th District wrote in her proclamation: “Although it was widely popular and openly celebrated by the Chinese government throughout the 1990s, the former General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Jiang Zemin, launched an unprecedented persecutory campaign to eradicate Falun Dafa in 1999; that campaign continues to this day;

“This systematic campaign remains largely hidden from view, as for years, the CCP has classified any information about human rights abuses against people who practice Falun Dafa; hundreds of thousands have been tortured, and thousands have been confirmed dead; and

“As the persecution continues, Falun Dafa practitioners have consistently refused to use violence; today, across China, there are over 200,000 underground printing houses set up by Falun Dafa practitioners who have downloaded censored literature, produced homemade leaflets, and distributed them, usually at night; and

“Falun Dafa practitioners printed the most detailed exposé on the CCP ever published, Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, and distributed it throughout China at great personal risk; and

“It is an honor and privilege of this Legislative body to recognize those who celebrate their spirituality and who strive to preserve their religious and cultural heritage;”

Andrew J. Lanza Minority Deputy Leader: Recognizing Falun Dafa Day and the 32^nd Anniversary of the Public Introduction of Falun Dafa

Proclamation from Andrew J.Lanza representing the 24^th District 

Andrew J.Lanza representing the 24^th District wrote in his proclamation: “Falun Dafa was first made public by Mr. Li Hongzhi, a native of Changchun, China who now lives in the United States; he is a five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and was nominated by the European Parliament for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; and by 1999, according to China’s official estimates, 70 million to 100 million people were studying Falun Dafa; this amounted to approximately one out of every thirteen people in China.

“Falun Dafa practitioners have touched the lives of many New Yorkers, offering Falun Dafa exercise instructions and health information through free online workshops, cultural programs and outdoor exercise sites, as well as sharing personal experiences.”

He wrote: “I, New York State Senator Andrew J. Lanza am proud to recognize the 25^th annual World Falun Dafa Day and the 32^nd anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa.”

James Skoufis, Chairman of Committee on Investigations and Government Operations: Falun Dafa Practitioners Have Made Great Contributions to New York State and the Orange County Community

Proclamation from James Skoufis representing the 42^nd District

James Skoufis, Chairman of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations as well as State Senator representing the 42^nd District wrote in his proclamation:

“As practitioners hold the New York Falun Dafa Day parade to commemorate May 13, 2024 being the 25^th World Falun Dafa day.

“Falun Dafa was first introduced to the general public in May of 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China and is a spiritual and meditation discipline that implements many lessons of Ancient Chinese culture, following the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance” which is intended to improve physical and mental health.

“Since 1999, Falun Dafa practitioners, of whom there are over one hundred million, have spread their practice across the world as they must endure vicious persecution by the Chinese government and since then, practitioners across the globe have celebrated May 13^th as World Falun Dafa day in honor of their establishment.

“This year, Falun Dafa practitioners across the State of New York join together in Manhattan on May 10^th to celebrate this day together.

“The many followers of Falun Dafa have made great contributions to New York and the Orange County Community.

“As practitioners celebrate Falun Dafa in the State of New York and across the world, we honor their contributions to our great state and join in celebrating.”

Republican Conference Chair: I Recognize and Commemorate the 25^th World Falun Dafa Day

Proclamation from Pamela A. Helming, Ranking Member Housing, Construction and Community Development; Insurance, Republican Conference Chair, representing 54^th District.

In her Proclamation Senator Pamela A. Helming wrote:

“Commemorating the 25^th Anniversary of World Falun Dafa Day

“Whereas I, New York State Senator Pamela A. Helming, am justly proud to commemorate the 25^th Annual World Falun Dafa Day celebration and 

“Whereas, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a self-improvement practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture based on refining the body and mind through special exercises and meditation; and

“Whereas, this special event observes the day Falun Dafa was first introduced to the general public in May of 1992, in Changchun, China, by Mr. Li Hongzhi; he then traveled around China lecturing to the public; and

“Whereas, The practice of Falun Dafa is simple, it consists primarily of two components, self-improvement through study and the practice of five gentle exercises; and 

“Whereas, Practitioners of Falun Dafa strive to live by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance in order to improve their moral nature, and in turn, to experience remarkable health benefits; and

“Whereas, The effectiveness of Falun Dafa in improving health, as well as the principles upon which it is founded, have proven to be immensely popular throughout the world and have attracted people in more than 114 countries; and

“Whereas, In 1996, Falun Dafa was introduced to New York, and has since grown to include hundreds of practitioners who can be found throughout the tri-state area offering workshops in senior centers, corporate offices, health clubs, private residences and police stations at no cost to the participants; and

“Whereas, Today Falun Dafa is practiced and cherished by millions of people and has received over 3,000 awards; now, therefore, be it

“Proclaimed, that I, Senator Pamela A. Helming, recognize and commemorate the 25^th Annual World Falun Dafa day celebration; and be it further 

“Proclaimed, that a copy of this Proclamation, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Falun Dafa practitioners of the 54^th Senate District.

(To be continued)