[Minghui Net] The town of Hopkinton, Rhode Island proclaimed December 17th, 2000 as "Falun Dafa Day" to reward Falun Dafa for its great benefits to the body and mind of the residents in Rhode Island. The State Senate also gave Falun Dafa an award. The ceremony was held on the afternoon of Dec. 17th at a public center in Hopkinton.
Practitioners from Rhode Island and Massachusetts hung up a "Falun Dafa Day" banner with red letters on a yellow background and colorful balloons. It was a very joyous occasion. Over a dozen practitioners from Boston drove for more than an hour to attend the ceremony in the pouring rain. From remote cities of Rhode Island several western practitioners who just attained the Fa also attended.
The ceremony began at 2:00pm. Mr. Scott Hirst, the Deputy Chairman of Hopkinton read the proclamation. He expressed his special gratitude to the practitioners for applying for Falun Dafa Day and giving each council member a chance to know about Dafa. He also mentioned that he could feel the kindness and friendship from the practitioners through talking with them.
Senator Donna Walsh from Rhode Island read the Senate's Falun Dafa award. Senator Walsh also thanked the practitioners for their introducing Falun Dafa to her. She was very happy to read the materials and even made copies to introduce Falun Dafa to the state government.
The practitioners were very grateful for the support from the government, and presented the book China Falun Gong to these two officials. Then all the audience listened to Falun Dafa experiences from two practitioners. The practitioners also answered questions from the audience. This event was reported by local newspapers in Rhode Island.
These two officials and other attendants then began to learn the exercises. A dozen elderly Americans also came to join the exercises despite the heavy rain. They all felt a very strong energy field. Senator Walsh felt her body was very warm immediately after finishing two sets of the exercises. Before the exercises, her left arm was uncomfortable and she worried about practicing the second exercise. However, her arm felt well after doing the exercise. At this moment, it was pouring and very windy outside, but inside it was very peaceful and harmonious.
The practitioners from Boston, Rhode Island
December 18th, 2000
