WHEREAS, Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) is a self-improvement practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture that was introduced to the general public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi; and
     WHEREAS, Falun Dafa consists of four gentle exercises and a sitting meditation that benefit health, and its teachings are guided by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance; and
     WHEREAS, Falun Dafa practitioners who follow these principles benefit society by promoting honesty, kindness, and tolerant concern for others; and
     WHEREAS, The Falun Gong teachings have inspired and empowered individual practitioners to leave behind addictions and bad habits, helped families to live peacefully together, and influenced communities to embrace what is virtuous and life-affirming; and
     WHEREAS, Under the circumstance that with Falun Dafa's emphasis on improving one's spiritual, mental, and physical health, it has spread rapidly around the world; and
     WHEREAS, Despite the severe circumstances of the violent persecution being carried out against Falun Gong only in China, Falun Gong practitioners there have peacefully persevered in practicing the principles of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance without a single instance of retaliation; and
     WHEREAS, The free exercise of one's beliefs is a basic human right, and the persecution of Falun Gong or any other religious or spiritual practice is an attack on basic human rights that should not be tolerated anywhere in the world; and
     WHEREAS, Since Falun Gong's introduction it has reached millions of people in well over 50 countries; and
     WHEREAS, Falun Gong first came to Washington State in 1996, and local practitioners have given many free seminars to teach local communities about the benefits derived from the meditation and exercises; and
     WHEREAS, People who practice Falun Gong come from every walk of life because Falun Gong transcends cultural, social, economic, and national boundaries; and
     WHEREAS, The great compassion and tolerance demonstrated by Falun Dafa practitioners even under the most severe circumstances have touched kind-hearted people the world over;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the dedication of Falun Dafa practitioners in the face of adversity.