1k Falun Dafa Week
.iJz.
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE:
RESOLUTION NO:
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF MAY 13-19, 2002 AS
FALUN DAFA WEEK
WHEREAS, Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is an integrated system for improving
the mind and body through peaceful exercises and meditation; and
WHEREAS, the practice helps people relieve stress and attain overall mental and physical
health; and
WHEREAS, millions of people are practicing Falun Dafa in more than 40 countries; and
WHEREAS, Falun Dafa was introduced to Minnesota in the fall of 1998. Since that time,
volunteers have offered free instruction and maintained several regular group exercise practice sites
in the Twin Cities area, including Como Park, the University of Minnesota and Pathways in
Minneapolis.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, LINDA JANSEN, Mayor of the City of Chanhassen, do hereby
proclaim the week of May 13-19, 2002 to be F ALUN DAF A WEEK in the City of Chanhassen.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council ibis 13th day of May, 2002.
ATIEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Linda C. Jansen, Mayor
YES
NO
ABSENT
~
May?,2002
To: City of Chanhassen
On behalf of Minnesota Falun Dafa practitioners, I am writing to respectfully request your procIamation of
May 13-19 as "Falun Dafa Week" in Chanhassen.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an integrated system for improving the mind and body through
peaceful exercises and meditation. The practice helps people relieve stress and attain overall mental and
physical health. Practitioners endeavor at all times to live according to Zhen-Shan-Ren (fruthfulness-
Compassion-Forbearance). Millions of people are practicing it today in more than 40 countries, including
China and other countries in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, most countries in Europe, and North America. In
the United States, almost every state has Falun Dafa practitioners and exercise locations.
Falun Dafa has received worldwide recognition, including proclamations from many cities in the United
States following the first proclamations in Houston in 1996. Both the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul
proclaimed May 7-13, 2001 to be "Falun Dafa Week." Attached is a partial list of honors and proclamations.
Falun Dafa was introduced to Minnesota in the fall of 1998. Since then, volunteers have offered free
instruction and maintained several regular group exercise practice sites in the Twin Cities area. Falun Dafa
volunteers have given numerous free classes and presentations at universities, bookstores, and schools. They
also participate in health-related events, such as the Midwest Health & Wellness Expo. Everyone is
welcome to join Falun Dafa activities, which are always ITee.
However, in China, where this peaceful exercise originated, people have had their right to practice taken
away. In early 1999, a government survey estimated there were 70-100 million Falun Gong practitioners in
China. Some members of the Chinese leadership feared that the fast-growing popularity of the practice
would threaten the Communist regime, and outlawed Falun Gong in China in July 1999. Since then,
thousands of practitioners have been arrested, tortured, sent to labor camps without trial, or sentenced to long
prison terms. More than 400 practitioners have died ITom inhumane torture. Despite the way they are
treated, every day many practitioners are peacefully and publicly appealing to the Chinese Government,
hoping for a nonviolent solution.
In order to let more people know about Falun Gong, we sincerely hope you would proclaim May 13-19 as
"Falun Dafa Week." This will give many people the opportunity to learn about Falun Gong, and to benefit
both physically and mentally. What's more, it will be a public affirmation of your support for the universal
values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Your proclamation will be in conjunction with
I. The photo exhibit at the Minnesota State Capitol May 5-19, "Truth, Compassion, Tolerance - The
Journey of Falun Dafa." We will display all proclamations at the Capitol during the exhibit.
2. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrated throughout the U.S. in May
3. International Falun Dafa Day on May 13, commemorating 10 years since the public introduction
Please join hundreds of other cities in the US and Canada in recognizing the goodness ofFalun Gong. I
would be glad to answer any questions or provide additional information. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ming Johnson
18053 82'· W Street, Eden Prairie MN 55347
(952)974-0650 mjohnson8899@yahoo.com
http://www.falundafa.org
Awards and Recognition of Falun Dafa from Local Governments in North America
Since its public introduction in May 1992, Falun Dafa has attracted over 100 million
practitioners worldwide in just ten years. Falun Dafa cultivation emphasizes that one should conduct
oneself according to the principle of "Truth-Compassion-Tolerance." Regardless of gender and age,
regardless of nationality and race, every practitioner who persistently cultivates his or her heart and
practices the exercises has benefited tremendously. Continuous cultivation has brought significant
changes to many practitioners in both physical conditions and moral values, At the same time, Falun
Dafa is gaining worldwide understanding and appreciation, especially in Asia, Australia, Europe,
and North America.
Listed below are just a few of the hundreds of awards issued by local governments in Canada
and the United States in recognition of the extraordinary contribution made by Mr. Li Hongzhi and
Falun Dafa to people's mental and physical health. Just as Mr. Li Hongzhi said in Chicago when
accepting an award, "A practitioner takes worldly fame lightly. The award has no special meaning to
myself; but to Falun Dafa, the meaning of the award is profound. It represents the understanding and
recognition of Falun Dafa by human beings and society." He hopes that more kindhearted people
will come to know and appreciate Falun Gong.
May 17.2000
Proclamalion from the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania
May 13. 2000
Proclamation of World Falun Dafa Day, League City, Texas
January 9, 2000
"Falw1 Dafa Week" in Boone County, Missouri
November 20, 1999
Official recognilion by the Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
October 25, 1999
"Li Hongzhi Day" and "Falun Dafa Week" in Kearny, New Jersey
September 18, 1999
"Falun Dafa Day" in the City of SI. Louis, Missouri
.~
September 3, 1999
City of Atlanta awards Master Li "Honorary Citizen"
August 16, 1999
Proclamalion of "Falun Dafa Day" in Philadelpltia by Mayor Edward G. Rendell
August 9-13,1999
Wasltington D.C's Falun Dafa Week proclaimed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams
July 23, 1999
Commendalion letter from Governor Gray Da'~s of California
June 25, 1999
lllinois awarded Master Li Hongzhi
-Commendation letter from lllinois governor George H. Ryan
-Chicago Master Li Hongzhi Day
-lllinois Treasurer's Award for Outstanding Service
May 22, 1999
Welcome letter from Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Canada
Welcome letter from Mayor Mel Lastman of Toronto, Canada
October 12.1996
Houston, Texas Named Master Li:
"Honorary Citizen" and "Goodwill Ambassador"
Proclaimed "Li Hongzhi Day"
You are cordially invited to
TRUTH COMPASSION TOLERANCE
_ The Journey of Falun Dafa
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A photo exhibition at the Minnesota State Capitol, St, Paul
May 5-19, 2002
Magnificent scenes from the worldwide growth of this
peaceful and beneficial practice
MAY 13 is WORLD FALUN DAFA DAY
Please see www.tc.umn.edu/-falun for local activities
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