Texas Passes State Resolution to Honor World Falun Dafa Day

(Minghui.org) The Texas Senate and House of Representatives passed SR512 and HR1102, respectively, on May 13, 2025, to honor World Falun Dafa Day.

Introduced by State Senator Angela Paxton, SR512 states, “Followers of Falun Dafa constitute an important part of the diverse cultural fabric of Texas, and Falun Dafa Day provides a fitting opportunity to recognize their devotion to the teachings of their faith and to the ideals of peace and freedom.”

Introduced by Representative Tom Oliverson, HR1102 states, “Falun Dafa emphasizes the attainment of spiritual growth through the study of Falun Dafa teachings and through gentle exercises and meditation; its teachings encourage learners to let go of unhealthy attachments as they strive to attune their lives to the universal qualities of truth, compassion, and forbearance.”

Texas State Senator Angela Paxton and State Representative Tom Oliverson

Important Values

When introducing SR512, Senator Paxton said Falun Dafa practitioners strive to follow the universal values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, but their friends and family members are detained in China and even subjected to forced organ harvesting due to their belief.

Senator Paxton said she was honored to sponsor SB1040 in the previous session to combat forced organ harvesting. She said Texas will continue to be a safe harbor for Falun Dafa practitioners, because practitioners have made the Lone Star State stronger and better.

State Senator Angela Paxton talks about SR512 at a hearing on May 13, 2025.

Dozens of Falun Dafa practitioners from Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio attended the hearing. Senator Paxton assured them that State Senators and State Representatives stand with practitioners to promote the upright and to battle viciousness. She said she was aware that many friends and family members of the practitioners present at the hearing are still detained in China. She affirmed that she and other elected officials will continue working until the detained practitioners are released.

Senator Paxton also commended Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, saying that they are excellent values for mankind. She thanked practitioners for making various Texas communities, the State of Texas, and the world, a better place.

Protecting Freedom of Belief

In his speech, Representative Tom Oliverson welcomed Falun Dafa practitioners by saying that the practice is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said this points to the core values of personal freedom and dignity of mankind, something cherished by Texans.

He stressed that although Falun Dafa practitioners are severely persecuted in China, they are welcomed in Texas and can enjoy freedom in this place. He also thanked practitioners for their many contributions to their communities and praised them for their commitment to their spiritual discipline, peaceful lifestyles, and for safeguarding freedom of belief.

Representative Tom Oliverson spoke in the Texas House of Representatives.

Representative Oliverson especially supported practitioners’ freedom of faith. He said it is important for practitioners to come to the Texas House of Representatives. He added that he and other elected officials pay attention to freedom based on faith, and cherish compassion as well as truthfulness. He thanked practitioners for coming to the House of Representatives, and said he looks forward to working with practitioners in the future.

State Senator Angela Paxton (in white, first row) and Falun Dafa practitioners

Representative Tom Oliverson (center, first row) and Falun Dafa practitioners

Falun Dafa practitioners from Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio at the hearing at the Texas State Capitol.