(Minghui.org) The New York State Senate proclaimed May 13, 2015 as Falun Dafa Day in the State of New York, following its previous proclamations on every World Falun Dafa Day since 2011.
The following is the text of the proclamation:
State of New YorkLegislative Resolution
Senate No. 2079BY: Senator Martins
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 13, 2015, as Falun Dafa Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Falun Dafa Day
WHEREAS, This legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 13, 2015, as Falun Dafa Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Falun Dafa Day; and
WHEREAS, May 13, 2015, marks the 16th World Falun Dafa Day; its mission is to share the beauty and benefits of the Falun Dafa practice and to raise awareness of the persecution; 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 day 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 impact his lectures had on the society was so profound, that the practice spread very rapidly by word of mouth alone; by 1998, it was estimated that 100 million people had taken up the practice in China; 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 Falun Dafa philosophy espouses the idea that when the heart is pure, the mind balanced, and the body energized, health and happiness are a natural outcome; individuals have been empowered to leave behind addictions and bad habits; families, to live in peace together; and communities, to embrace what is virtuous and life-affirming; 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 40 countries; and
WHEREAS, To the people of China, Falun Dafa provides a source of strength in the face of oppression; although the practice is banned in the hand of its origin, practitioners persevere in the pursuit of their spiritual beliefs, risking imprisonment or worse; 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 in more than 114 countries and has received over 3,000 awards and
WHEREAS, Falun Dafa is a practice which has brought better health and inner peace to millions around the world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 13, 2015, as Falun Dafa Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Falun Dafa Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.
ADOPTED IN SENATE ONMay 12, 2015
By order of the Senate,Francis W. Patience, Secretary
