Office of the Mayor

Whereas, On July 20, 2001, the second anniversary commemorating the crackdown on Falun Gong, practitioners worldwide will initiate a "Journey to Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance" to honor the peaceful spirit of Falun Gong in China where innocent people have face torture and death for its practice; and

Whereas, Falun Gong's founder is two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Li Hongzhi and consist of traditional and ancient Chinese spiritual practices of gentle exercise, mediation with positive effects on health, stress, morality spreading to over forty countries and 100 million people; and

Whereas, Falun Gong has enabled numerous practitioners in China to walk, bike, or bus/train ride for hundreds or thousands of miles to Beijing to appeal in a peaceful, non-violent way -- to raise banners in Tiananmen Square saying "Falun Gong is Good"; and

Whereas, During the week of July 15^th, 2001, Falun Gong practitioners in Tennessee will join those driving from California through Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville toward Washington, DC to honor Falun Gong.

Now, therefore, I, Bill Purcell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, do hereby recognize Falun Gong's Global Journey to "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance".

I have hereunto set my hand on

This the 15^th day of July, 2001.

Bill Purcell

Mayor