LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 15, 2016, 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 15, 2016, as Falun Dafa Day in the State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Falun Dafa Day;
and
WHEREAS, May 15, 2016, marks the 17th 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 intro-
duced 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 practice of Falun Dafa goes beyond the pursuit of health
and fitness to the goal of greater wisdom and enlightenment; 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-affirm-
ing; 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 land 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 15, 2016, 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 tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.