U.S. Congress passes bill to award His Holiness Congressional Gold Medal
Thursday, 14 September 2006, 9:30 a.m.
Washington D.C.: The US House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill to award His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled leader, the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honour. The award is in recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advocacy of religious harmony,
non-violence, and human rights throughout the world and for his efforts to
find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue though dialogue with the
Chinese leadership.
The bill enjoyed broad bipartisan support, with 387 cosponsors drawn from
both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate, representing more than
two-thirds of Congress.
Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said:
“As a Tibetan, I am deeply touched by this gesture from the United States
Congress. Together with the Honorary Citizenship recently bestowed upon
His Holiness by the Canadians, this award is an indication of continued
international admiration and appreciation of his contribution towards
making ours a more harmonious world.”
For more than two hundred years, the US Congress has expressed its
gratitude on behalf of the nation for contributions made by outstanding
individuals through the occasional commissioning of gold medals in its
name. Past recipients of the Gold Medal include George Washington, Pope
John Paul II, and other Nobel Peace Laureates, such as Nelson Mandela and
Elie Wiesel.
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act was introduced as
S.2782 by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Craig Thomas (R-WY) and as
H.R.4562 by Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Tom Lantos
(D-CA).
The House of Representatives passed the bill in its Senate version with
overwhelming support.
The Dalai Lama arrived in California on September 11 and is departing from
New York on September 28. He is not expected to visit Washington, D.C.
until October 2007.
Members of Congress had this to say about final passage of the Dalai Lama
Gold Medal bill:
Senator Dianne Feinstein (principal Democratic sponsor in the Senate):
“The Dalai Lama is a worthy recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He
is one of the world’s greatest religious leaders and has used human
compassion, courage and conviction as his tools in carving a path for
peace. For half a century, he has struggled to better the lives of the
Tibetan people. In doing so, he has been a shining light to all those
fighting for freedom around the world.”
Senator Craig Thomas (principal Republican sponsor in the Senate): “The
Dalai Lama continues to advocate for peace and compassion in a chaotic
world. It is an honor and privilege to recognize a man whose life work
aims to do what is most needed –bring people together.”
Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi: “For millions around the world, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama is a source of spiritual refuge and a connection
to inner peace and harmony. He has traveled the world, building bridges
between and among the different faiths. He has used his position to
promote wisdom, compassion, and non-violence as a solution — not only in
Tibet — but to other world conflicts.
“The Dalai Lama has been a unifying voice for global peace, asking for
international support for his non-violent efforts to engage the Chinese
government in the struggle for Tibetan freedom. By awarding the
Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, Congress is sending a crucial
signal of support for the ongoing discussions. The United States must
continue to be committed to meeting the challenge that Tibet makes to the
conscience of the world.”
Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (principal Republican sponsor in the
House, member of the International Relations Committee): “The 14th Dalai
Lama is very deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. His moral courage
and unifying vision is an example for all peace-loving peoples. I am
privileged to lead a bipartisan action in the House that honors this man
of peace with such a marvelous recognition of his continuing work on
behalf of his fellow man.”
Representative Tom Lantos (principal Democratic sponsor in the House,
ranking member of the International Relations Committee, founder and
co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus): “In his quiet but
persistent way, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has devoted his life to
asserting the Tibetan people’s rights, lifting their spirits and upholding
their dignity. By his humble personal example, through his prolific
writings and in his addresses to audiences in every corner of the earth,
the Dalai Lama has provided exceptional service to humankind. Such a vast
contribution to the betterment of our world deserves special recognition
and support. After nearly three decades of friendship with His Holiness,
I am deeply honored and proud to have rallied my colleagues to award him
the Congressional Gold Medal. We can now look forward to the day when he
once again meets with members of Congress — this time to stand before us
all to receive this unique and well-earned honor.”
–ICT
(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)