MB Civic

U.S. Congress Passes Bill to Award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal!
Thanks to your crucial and invaluable support the US House of Representatives last night passed a bill to award His Holiness the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The award is in recognition of 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.

Because of the tremendous outreach undertaken by our supporters, the bill enjoyed broad bipartisan support, with 387 cosponsors drawn from both political parties 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.”

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.

Commenting on the bill, Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader, said: “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.”

Congratulations to everyone for all their hard work and we look forward to celebrating with you when the Dalai Lama is presented with the Gold Medal, expected to take place during the Dalai Lama’s next visit to Washington, DC in October 2007.

Regards,

International Campaign for Tibet

International Campaign for Tibet | 1825 Jefferson Place NW | Washington, DC | 20036 | United States of America
Phone: (202) 785-1515 | Fax: (202) 785-4343 | info@savetibet.org
ICT Europe | Vijzelstraat 77 | 1017HG Amsterdam | The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)20 3308265 | Fax: +31 (0)20 3308266 | icteurope@savetibet.org
ICT Deutschland e.V. | Marienstr. 30 | 10117 Berlin | Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 27879086 | Fax: +49 (0)30 27879087 | ict-d@savetibet.org