Falun Dafa Information Center --On February 28, 2003, the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates passed separate resolutions condemning the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese government over the past several years. These two resolutions are the Senate's SR 41 resolution, passed on February 20th, and the House of Delegates' HJ 541 resolution on January 27.

State Delegate Viola Baskerville (standing) at the hearing on Rules Committee of House of Delegates	Falun Gong practitioner Kery Nunez testifying at the hearing

At the hearing of the Committee on Rules of the House of Delegates that was held on January 27, Delegate Viola Baskerville proposed a motion to vote in the Virginia House of Delegates on a resolution condemning the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong. Virginia Falun Gong practitioner Kery Nunez also testified at the hearing. She pointed out that many Falun Gong practitioners in Virginia had been listed on the Chinese government's blacklist. Not only could they not go back to China to visit their families, but also their families in China were threatened. Some practitioners even received death threats on their answering machines in the US. She said the Chinese government's persecution was not limited to China, it had already extended to the US. She appealed to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent the practitioners' interest.

The resolution was passed on January 30 in the House of Delegates by a vote of 88 to 6. At the press conference after the hearing, Mrs. Baskerville said in reply to a reporter's question, "When voters in my district reported to me the threats they received from the Chinese government, I felt their interests had been seriously violated. Therefore I proposed this resolution to show to the Chinese government that we, the General Assembly of Virginia do not agree with their persecution of Falun Gong. Perhaps this resolution cannot itself play a very major role to the Chinese government, but together with resolutions from the Congress, the State Department, as well as other states, it will be able to send a strong message to the Chinese government that we will not approve such persecution. More importantly I will represent my voters' interests.

HR 541 was delivered to the Senate on the same day. The Senate also adopted a similar resolution on February 20. Together these resolutions sent a strong message opposing the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 541

Offered January 8, 2003

Prefiled November 26, 2002

Expressing the sense of the General Assembly regarding the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong by the government of the People's Republic of China.

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Patrons-- Baskerville, Abbitt, Alexander, Almand, Armstrong, Barlow, Black, Bolvin, Callahan, Councill, Crittenden, Darner, Devolites, Dillard, Gear, Hargrove, Johnson, Keister, Landes, Marshall, R.G., Melvin, Miles, Moran, Petersen, Plum, Pollard, Rollison, Scott, Shuler, Stump, Watts, Welch and Woodrum; Senators: Byrne, Howell, Lambert, Lucas, Martin, Reynolds, Ticer, Wagner and Whipple

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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WHEREAS, Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a self-improvement practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture that promotes the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance; and

WHEREAS, Falun Gong practitioners use gentle exercises and meditation to achieve the goals of a pure heart, a balanced mind, and an energized body; and

WHEREAS, despite the peaceful, positive, and nonpolitical goals of Falun Gong, the government of the People's Republic of China has for several years brutally and systematically killed, tortured, and illegally detained those who practice Falun Gong; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the Chinese government have been universally condemned by, among others, the President of the United States, the United States Department of State, the United States Congress, and the political leaders of many U.S. states and dozens of local governments; and

WHEREAS, Falun Gong has been welcomed and celebrated by proclamations and resolutions from localities in New Zealand, Australia, France, Canada, and many other countries; and

WHEREAS, in Virginia, the cities of Winchester, Chesapeake, and Charlottesville and the Counties of Fairfax and Loudoun have proclaimed Falun Dafa Week; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the ongoing suppression of Falun Gong practitioners in the People's Republic of China, reputable media outlets have reported incidents of persecution and harassment of Falun Gong practitioners on United States soil; and

WHEREAS, by resolution, the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, on August 1, 2002, condemned the extremely brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the government of the People's Republic of China; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby urge the government of the People's Republic of China to end the senseless and illegal persecution of practitioners of the Falun Gong or Falun Dafa movement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Yang Jiechi, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, so that he may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 41

Offered February 19, 2003

Commending practitioners of Falun Gong or Falun Dafa.

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Patron-- Whipple

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WHEREAS, Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a practice rooted in ancient Chinese culture that promotes the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance; and

WHEREAS, Falun Gong practitioners use gentle exercises and meditation to achieve the goals of a pure heart, a balanced mind, and an energized body; and

WHEREAS, more than 100 million people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds have physical and mental wellness and moral ascension through practicing Falun Gong; and

WHEREAS, despite the peaceful, positive, and nonpolitical goals of Falun Gong, the government of the People's Republic of China has for several years persecuted and detained those who practice Falun Gong; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the Chinese government have been condemned by, among others, the President of the United States, the United States Department of State, the United States Congress, and the political leaders of many states and dozens of local governments; and

WHEREAS, Falun Gong has been welcomed and celebrated by proclamations and resolutions from localities in New Zealand, Australia, France, Canada, and many other countries; and

WHEREAS, in Virginia, the Cities of Winchester, Chesapeake, and Charlottesville and the Counties of Fairfax and Loudoun have proclaimed Falun Dafa Week; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the ongoing suppression of Falun Gong practitioners in the People's Republic of China, reputable media outlets have reported incidents of persecution and harassment of Falun Gong practitioners on United States soil; and

WHEREAS, by resolution, the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, on August 1, 2002, condemned the persecution of Falun Gong by the government of the People's Republic of China; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Senate hereby commend the practitioners of Falun Gong or Falun Dafa and condemn their persecution; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the practitioners of Falun Gong or Falun Dafa in Virginia.