On May 13, more than 1,000 lawmakers sent congratulatory messages for World Falun Dafa Day on the 30th anniversary of the spiritual practice’s introduction.On May 13, 1992, Li Hongzhi first introduced the meditation practice, also known as Falun Gong, in Changchun, China. The practice’s core tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance and its emphasis on morality resonated with millions of people across the nation, and the practice soon spread to the rest of the world. May 13 also marks Li’s birthday. Around this time every year, Falun Gong practitioners worldwide celebrate the occasion by holding parades and performances, often joined by people from all walks of life, including lawmakers, who praise the practice’s positive impact on society. A “Falun Dafa Day” flag sways in the air after being raised by the Niagara Falls City Council ahead of World Falun Dafa Day in Niagara Falls, Canada, on May 8, 2021. (The Epoch Times) United States In the United States, municipal and state lawmakers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington state, Delaware, Minnesota, Virginia, Indiana, Texas, Maryland, Nevada, Massachusetts, Missouri, California, and Michigan passed resolutions and proclamations in recognition of Falun Dafa’s dedication to upholding truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Almost 40 New Jersey officials from federal, state, county, and city levels sent proclamations to honor Falun Dafa Day 2022. (Jing Song/Epoch Times) In anticipation of World Falun Dafa Day, New York state adopted resolution No. 2278 to commemorate the occasion and commend the practice’s moral teachings and “remarkable” health benefits. “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,” the resolution states, adding that the practice “goes beyond the pursuit of health and fitness to the goal of greater wisdom and enlightenment.” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Conference, sent a certificate of special congressional recognition to Falun Dafa practitioners in upstate New York commemorating their “perseverance in face of persecution by the Chinese Communist Party.” Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.), in joining the Falun Dafa Day celebration, issued a certificate of special recognition to Li. Ontario’s City of Orillia Mayor Jim Harrison poses with Falun Gong adherents after awarding them a proclamation award on May 9, 2022. (The Epoch Times) Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) posted on Twitter his congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day on May 13 and said he “stands with those who peacefully practice their faith,” while calling for a stop to the persecution of Falun Gong and other religious groups. Rubio, along with many others, has long opposed the Chinese Communist Party’s clampdown on religious liberty in China and the regime’s decades-long persecution of Falun Gong. “Falun Dafa, a self-improvement Qigong practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture, consists of five exercises and strong moral and ethical principles. As we celebrate this festive occasion, we should reflect on the teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf stated in a May 13 letter to the Philadelphia Falun Dafa Association. This year, the Pennsylvania state Legislature raised the American flag on May 13 to commemorate the special day and thank Li for his contribution to society. “The United States was founded on the principle of unalienable human rights, including the freedom of religion,” said Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), who has been voicing his support for those oppressed by the CCP, including Falun Dafa. Hundreds of lawmakers across the nation joined their colleagues in commemorating the 30th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction and thanked Li for introducing the practice to the public. Canada In Canada, more than 100 legislators from the Liberal, Conservative, and Green parties sent well-wishes to adherents of Falun Dafa. In addition, around 20 cities have held flag-raising ceremonies acknowledging the occasion. “The Falun Dafa practices of meditation and inward reflection are helpful to millions of practitioners all over the world,” Candice Bergen, interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and leader of the official opposition, said in a May 10 letter. “Many Canadians enjoy the comfort and stability that are offered through this system of self-improvement.” “Many of the values that we cherish today—compassion, generosity, and justice—are anchored in spiritual traditions. Inherent among those who practice is the courage to continuously see positive transformation in one’s own life and society,” Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the lieutenant governor of Ontario, said in a May 13 letter. “Communities rooted in spirituality have played an important role in building the social fabric of our province.” Falun Dafa’s values of truthfulness, compassion, and tol