(Minghui.org) On May 13, 2025, the 26th World Falun Dafa Day, Falun Dafa practitioners in Missouri, U.S. held a celebration event at the state capitol in Jefferson City.

The celebration event featured a series of activities, including a reception, outdoor exercises, and a stage presentation with support from the Governor and state legislators, speeches, and special music.

Governor’s Welcome

A welcome letter was sent by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who wrote, “Falun Dafa – a traditional Chinese meditation and spiritual practice – has transcended cultural and national boundaries to bring better health and inner peace to millions around the world, including right here in Missouri. It’s teachings, centered on truthfulness, compassion, forbearance, resonate with the very values that we hold dear as Missourians.

“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Falun Dafa practitioners in Missouri. I’ve been struck by their sincerity, gentleness, and unwavering commitment to their beliefs – even in the face of hardship. Their quiet strength and peaceful spirit are a testament to the values they hold dear.”

Support from State Legislators

A Courtesy Resolution for World Falun Dafa Day was issued for the event by State Senator Stephen Webber, and on the House side, a similar resolution was offered by State Representative Tara Peters, with co-sponsors Rep. Bennie Cook, Rep. Ben Keathley, Rep. Holly Jones, Rep. Willard Haley, Rep. Becky Laubinger, Rep. Don Mayhew, Rep. Jim Kalberloh, and Rep. Jeremy Dean.

Group photo with Rep. Becky Laubinger (2nd from left in the center), Rep. Tara Peters (3rd from left, center),

Rep. Holly Jones (4th from left, center), and Rep. Willard Haley (5th from left, center)

During the morning reception, the sponsor of the House Resolution, Rep. Tara Peters came to present the resolution to the practitioners. She commended the practitioners’ efforts in bringing beautiful values of Falun Dafa to the community and raising awareness about the ongoing persecution in China.

Rep. Holly Jones, who introduced the “End Organ Harvesting Act of 2025,” also came to show support for the event. She said she is proud to work with the practitioners in raising awareness about the egregious persecution in China, especially the organ harvesting crime that targets Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience.

Moments later, co-sponsor of the House resolution Rep. Keathley stopped by as well. He said that he attended the Shen Yun show in St. Louis with his family earlier this year, and that they loved the pageantry of Chinese traditional culture before communism. He said the show was “incredibly powerful and moving.” This experience deepened his understanding about the mission of Shen Yun and why the Chinese Communist Party has spared no effort in trying to sabotage Shen Yun performances.

Many more state representatives or their assistants came throughout the day and took information from the practitioners. Some were interested in Falun Dafa’s meditative exercises. And some were shocked and concerned about the organ harvesting atrocities targeting Falun Gong prisoners of conscience in China and asked questions to learn more about it.

Serene Exercises Under Sunny Skies

That morning, practitioners also gathered on the front lawn outside of the capitol and did the meditation exercises together.

Falun Dafa exercises on the Missouri State Capitol South lawn.

Ms. Luo, who took up Falun Dafa in her youth and moved to the U.S. a few years ago, said, “I suffered from all kinds of illnesses since I was little. I almost died when I was 16. A neighbor then introduced Falun Dafa to my family. After doing the exercises for only two weeks, I recovered. As I continue to practice Dafa and get to know more about it, I realized that it’s not only about health, but also teaches people to be kind. I understood how to be a good person and how to live a more beautiful life."

Falun Dafa practitioners perform a song, “Plum Blossoms in the Snow.”

World Falun Dafa Day Stage Presentation

The highlight of the celebration event was the stage performance at noon, featuring a trumpet performance of the US national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the song “Plum Blossoms in the Snow,” which signifies the practitioners’ resilience and persistence despite the unprecedented, state-sponsored persecution.

A Chinese-American practitioner, Ms. Kairong Tian, gave a speech in which she described what it was like in China before the persecution began. “Back then, all across China, you could see hundreds or even thousands of people gathered in the park in the early morning, practicing the peaceful Falun Dafa exercises,” she shared. “The popularity of the practice represented a revival of traditional Chinese culture and moral values, which had been suppressed by the Chinese Communist regime for decades.”

Missouri native Barbara Gay gave a speech on how she recovered from lupus and severe depression after taking up Falun Dafa. She expressed deep gratitude for receiving a second chance at life and gaining peace of mind, explaining, “From the teachings of Falun Dafa, my faith has been strengthened, my truest unselfish nature has come to the surface, and my perspective on life in general has improved greatly.”

Sara Effner, the organizer of the event, said, “Practitioners from different areas of Missouri really came together to make this a special celebration of World Falun Dafa Day and to share this beneficial practice in our community. In recent years, we’ve received strong support from Missouri legislators to stop the persecution in China. While celebrating Falun Dafa Day, we also want to show our appreciation for our leaders for their compassionate support.”

Students learn about Falun Dafa.