(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023, was the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 24th World Falun Dafa Day. On May 13, 2023, to mark this special day and to celebrate the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, two American flags were raised over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. This special recognition of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa, was for his outstanding contribution in introducing Falun Dafa to the world.

The two national flags were requested by U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and flew over the Capitol on May 13. On May 25, Falun Dafa practitioner Jennie Sheeks from Philadelphia received the two flags and a certificate of commendation from Congressman Fitzpatrick.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick requested the National Flag be raised over the U.S. Capitol to honor Mr. Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa Day 

The two U.S. flags and the certificates from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick 

One of the certificates reads: “This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United State Capitol at the request of the Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Congress, May 13, 2023, in special recognition of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder and leader of Falun Dafa, introducing Falun Dafa to the world and taught the core principles of Falun Dafa - Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance (Zhen, Shan, Ren). Your legend will continue to touch and instill confidence in our next generation of leaders around the world.”

The other certificate reads: “This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol at the request of the Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Congress, May 13, 2023, in special recognition of The Greater Philadelphia Falun Dafa Association In Commemoration of World Falun Dafa Day and the 31st Anniversary of Public Introduction of Falun Dafa.”

Falun Dafa practitioner Jennie Sheeks said, “The flag-raising at the Capitol this time is of far-reaching significance. It inspires Falun Dafa practitioners in China who are still being brutally persecuted by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). The flag-raising ceremony also serves to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day and Master’s birthday, sharing Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance with Americans and everyone in the world. If everyone can take these universal values to heart, we will have a better future.”

For Ms. Sheeks, the American flag is a symbol of American values and traditions, primarily a symbol of liberty — to her and most people, the definition of liberty means freedom from tyranny. When she made the request this year, Congressman Fitzpatrick expressed his support for raising the national flag on the U.S. Capitol for World Falun Dafa Day and Mr. Li Hongzhi. On May 13, 2020, Congressman Fitzpatrick raised the American flag in recognition of Falun Dafa.

Congressman Fitzpatrick has been paying attention to and condemning the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners for many years. He also signed the Universal Declaration on Combating and Preventing Forced Organ Harvesting and is a Co-sponsor of House bill H.R.6319 (IH) - Falun Gong Protection Act.