(Minghui.org) To celebrate the 34th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to Virginia, Eric Zehr, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for the 51st District, issued a certificate of recognition to Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, and practitioners in Virginia “for their contributions to the community and encourage all citizens to celebrate this special occasion by acknowledging and practicing our shared values of truthfulness, compassion, and patience.”

The recognition says:

“WHEREAS, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a Chinese spiritual practice which teaches meditation exercises and emphasizes moral conduct; and

WHEREAS, the moral foundation of our nation and our Commonwealth is rooted in the Christian understanding that all people are created in the image of God and endowed by Him with inherent dignity, liberty, and worth; and

WHEREAS, Falun Dafa practitioners in Virginia peacefully exercised their freedom of belief since the practice was introduced in 1996, contributing to the Commonwealth through volunteer-led instruction, cultural programs, and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, since July 20, 1999, Falun Dafa practitioners have suffered brutal persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, whose hostility toward faith, human dignity, and religious liberty stands in direct opposition to the Christian principles upon which America was founded; and

WHEREAS, the perseverance of Falun Dafa practitioners in the face of oppression serves as a reminder of the universal struggle between tyranny and God-given freedom, and their peaceful witness highlights the importance of defending the rights of all people: and

WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, whose leaders - guided by faith in Divine Providence - established a nation committed to liberty, justice, and resistance to oppressive regimes, values that sharply contrast with the abuses of the Chinese Communist Party; and

WHEREAS, 2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to Virginia, during which practitioners across the Commonwealth will commemorate this milestone with public programs and educational activities highlighting their peaceful stand against communist persecution;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Eric Zehr, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, do hereby recognize and commend the Falun Dafa practitioners of Virginia and its founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi for their contributions to the community and encourage all citizens to celebrate this special occasion by acknowledging and practicing our shared values of truthfulness, compassion, and patience.

Given under my hand this 19th day of May, 2026

Eric Zehr