(Clearwisdom.net) Several years ago we began contacting our state legislators here in Maine to tell them about Falun Dafa andáclarify the truth about the situationáin China.

Over a period of time we built relationships as we met and updated them on news about the persecution. Then, last year a practitioner made a personal connection with his state representative who responded positively and was willing to sponsor a resolution. He then proceeded to take it through the proper channels and introduce it as a joint resolution in both the House and the Senate. By this time several key legislators in other areas of the state knew about Falun Dafa, as practitioners in their district had been detained in China while clarifying the truth.

Although we are a small group of practitioners in Maine, our government representatives and local media have known us through personal contact, public events and news events coverage. Both of Maine's US Congressmen supported HR 188 and personally spoke to Maine practitioners when visiting their region.

Since 1999 we have received strong backing from U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, who wrote a letter of support for this joint resolution. Newly elected Congressman Michael Michaud quickly stood behind our efforts by writing a statement of support for Falun Dafa.

The resolution was submitted in early February, and with hard work and diligent attention to detail by practitioners, everything proceeded smoothly. We worked as one body, stayed in contact with our government officials and alerted all of our representatives that the resolution was coming up for a vote.

Several of our state and federal government officials thanked us for inviting them to participate in supporting this resolution. It was wonderful to receive recognition from our government representatives who understood value of Falun Dafa.

A press conference was held in the state capitol, Augusta, Maine on February 11^th to announce a joint resolution supporting Falun Dafa.

Rep. Dudley receives flower	Rep. Ben Dudley delivers statement
Sen. Ken Lemont delivers statement	Maine practitioner
Conversation after the press conference	Interviews after press conference
Maine practitioners who traveled to China	Senator Ken Lemont with practitioners

The resolution was sponsored by Representative Ben Dudley of Portland, co-sponsored by Senator Ken Lemont of York, Speaker of the House Patrick Colwell of Gardiner and Senate President Beverly Daggett of Kennebec.

The Maine House of Representatives passed the "Joint Resolution Expressing Support for Adherents of Falun Dafa" (HP495) on Tuesday, February 11^th and the Maine Senate passed it on Friday, February 14^th.

At the press conference, Representative Dudley and Senator Lemont gave speeches supporting Falun Dafa and condemning China's campaign of persecution. Letters of support from U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe and U.S. Congressman Michael Michaud were read aloud at the press conference.

Two Maine practitioners who were detained and then deported from China in March 2002 described their experiences. A statement was read from another Maine practitioner who was expelled from China for speaking out against the persecution.

After the press conference our government representatives stayed and spoke to the practitioners at length.