(Clearwisdom.net) On the afternoon of June 15, 2002, Falun Dafa practitioners from different areas of the State of New Jersey, together with government officials and citizens of Ocean County, converged at the meeting room of the Ocean County Library to attend the celebration of the first Ocean County "Falun Dafa Week."
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| Deputy Mayor of Township of Dover, Mr. Carmine Inteso | Ocean County Freeholder Director, Mr. Joseph Vicari | Deputy Mayor of Township of Dover, Mr. Carmine Inteso |
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| Assistant to Mayor of Lakewood Township, Mr. Warren Sherard | Ocean Gate Borough Assemblyman Dr. Richard Hanusey | |
Learning to practice the exercises, and watching a video introducing Falun Dafa
The meeting room was decorated solemnly and harmoniously. In the front of the podium a banner reading "Falun Dafa," "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" was hung up high. Display boards introducing Falun Dafa were placed around the room.
The celebration began at 2:00 p.m. First, Ms. Carol Zsiga, librarian of the Ocean County Library gave a welcoming speech. Ms. Zsiga said that, as hostess, she warmly welcomed the government officials and citizens of Ocean County attending the celebration of "Falun Dafa Week." She also expressed that the Ocean County Library would try its best to provide a convenient opening for the spread of Falun Dafa in Ocean County.
After that, the representative of Falun Dafa practitioners made an opening speech. He briefly introduced the positive reactions and support from people from different walks of life since the announcement of "Falun Dafa Week" in Ocean County. He also expressed our sincere gratitude for the continuous support given to Falun Dafa by as many as ten congressmen of the county, state senators, members of the House of Representatives, Ocean County Freeholders and mayors and councils of the townships affiliated to Ocean County. The representative of practitioners especially thanked Congressman Christopher H. Smith and Congressman H. James Saxton of Ocean County for their continuous support and assistance for the persecuted Falun Gong practitioners' human rights in China. At the same time, he expressed thanks to each of a dozen government officials for their proclamations issued for this "Falun Dafa Week" in Ocean County.
Next, the government officials gave speeches respectively and presented the proclamation for "Falun Dafa Week." The county's freeholder Director, Mr. Joseph Vicari first made a speech. He said, "As a government official and an educator (He is also principle of a middle school), I came here because Falun Dafa helps people turn away from drugs, alcohol and violence. Our young people should pay attention to this information. It's never too much no matter how you evaluate Falun Dafa because of this." He also said, "I didn't pay much attention to Falun Dafa until I read the materials related to Falun Gong, I know how important it is to us. After 'September 11,' we saw what the terrorists did. The evil incites hatred among people, and uses it to commit bad deeds. However, after I investigated Falun Gong, I discovered that they oppose alcohol, drugs and all bad things. Falun Gong can teach people to upgrade their moral standard and to become honest people. I understand more and more why 100 million people have learned Falun Gong. I believe that the world will become more beautiful as more people learn Falun Gong."
The Ocean Gate Borough Assemblyman Dr. Richard Hanusey said, "after September 11, the American people needed to heal their spiritual wounds, and any group that can help improve people's mind and body should be praised. I'd like to ask who could blame the people who follow the principles of 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance?'" Dr. Hanusey emphasized, "At present, the world needs Falun Dafa to improve the quality of life of people all over the world. He also expressed his appreciation for the outstanding achievement of Master Li Hongzhi and his contribution to the whole of society. He also read the proclamation written by himself to celebrate Ocean County's "Falun Dafa Week."
Deputy Mayor of the Township of Dover, Mr. Carmine Inteso, discussed the significant guiding role of Falun Dafa's "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," from the aspects of his work, life and educating children. Mr. Inteso said, "I think, 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance' is so valuable to us that we should teach our children to follow it. When we are now troubled by "September 11" or other crimes, actually so long as we follow 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,' all these problems will be solved appropriately." Mr. Inteso also read the proclamation for "Falun Dafa Week," and expressed that he would like to offer help for the spread of Falun Dafa in the Township of Dover.
An assistant to the Mayor of the Lakewood Township, Mr. Warren Sherard, made a speech on behalf of Mayor Raymond G. Coles. He expressed that prior to this event, the mayor and he did not know about Falun Gong. After investigation, they discovered that Falun Dafa is a cultivation practice beneficial to the whole of society and people of different races and nationalities. Therefore, the mayor decided to issue a proclamation for Falun Dafa, and will hold a Falun Dafa introductory meeting for the local people in Lakewood Township at the city hall of the township.
People in attendance gave the four speakers warm applause.
The guests also watched the video program introducing Falun Dafa. The practitioners presented the guests with Falun Dafa videotapes and Falun Dafa books.
After a ten-minute break, the practitioners began to teach the local citizens who attended the celebration the Falun Gong exercises. More than 20 people of different races and nationalities learned the five sets of exercises and had a warm discussion with the practitioners. Many people bought Falun Gong books and Movement Instruction videotapes. They also left their contact phone numbers, hoping to join more in practicing the Falun Gong exercises.
Two of the largest newspapers of Ocean County: Asbury Park Press and Ocean County Observer sent two groups of reporters to cover the celebration activities and exercise teaching. The reporters also interviewed the government officials, Falun Gong practitioners and local citizens.