Bill To Award Us Congressional Gold Medal To The Dalai Lama Introduced

[robitusson]

US Senators Hope to Give Dalai Lama a Congressional Gold Medal

By VOA News

11 May 2006

Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill to give Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the legislature's highest civilian award.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California and Senator Craig Thomas, a Republican from Wyoming introduced the bill Thursday. In a statement, the senators said the bill has support from 73 of the nation's 100 senators. At least two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, plus the U.S. president, must support a move to give someone the award.

The medal can be awarded for a singular achievement or a lifetime of service. Recipients do not have to be U.S. citizens.

The Dalai Lama has been a controversial figure for decades. Earlier Thursday, China's foreign ministry accused him of using a trip to Latin America to promote Tibetan secession from China.

In a statement, a foreign ministry spokesman said the Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure but a political exile engaged in activities designed to split China. The spokesman urged Latin American nations to be - in his words - on "high alert" for what he called the Dalai Lama's secessionist activities.

The Dalai Lama is currently wrapping up a Latin American tour that has included stops in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.

[johnh101]

That will please the Chinese.

[thaibebop]

Everything displease the Chinese.

[robitusson]

Dalai Lama to be awarded highest US civilian honour

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Press Trust of India

Washington, May 27, 2006

The US Senate has passed a resolution to award the Congressional Gold

Medal - the country's highest civilian honour - to Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th

Dalai Lama, in recognition of his "enduring and outstanding contributions to

peace, non violence and human rights".

The Senate passed the resolution prior to adjourning for a week long recess.

A similar legislation has been enacted by the House of Representatives. The

Senate legislation introduced by Senator Diane Feinstein of California had

the backing of 75 Democrats and Republicans as co-sponsors.

"The Dalai Lama has struggled for half a century to better the lives of the

Tibetan people - armed only with his compassion, courage and conviction. In

doing so, he has been a shining light to all those fighting for freedom

around the world, " Senator Feinstein remarked as the Senate Banking

Committee recently approved the Gold Medal Act.

"I cannot say how much it means to me that three quarters of the Senate have

put the daily battles aside to come together to say that this man deserves

our nation's highest civilian honour -- the Congressional Gold Medal" he

added.

Past recipients of the Gold Medal include Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa,

and Nobel Peace Laureates Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela.

http://www.tibet.ca/en/wtnarchive/2006/5/27_2.html

Edited May 28, 2006 by robitusson

[robitusson]

President Bush signs into Law to honour His Holiness

Friday, 29 September 2006, 9:30 a.m.

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Dharamshala: On 27 September 2006, President George Bush signed into law the "Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act," which authorises Congress to award His Holiness the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.

Under this legislation, the United States Congress awards this honour "in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding." The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States.

The Senate passed the legislation, sponsored by Senators Diane Feinstein and Craig Thomas, by unanimous consent on May 25, 2006. The House of Representatives then overwhelmingly passed the companion legislation, sponsored by Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Tom Lantos, on September 13, 2006. The legislation provides that "the United States Congress finds that Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama:

is recognized in the United States and throughout the world as a leading figure of moral and religious authority;

is the unrivaled spiritual and cultural leader of the Tibetan people, and has used his leadership to promote democracy, freedom, and peace for the Tibetan people through a negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue, based on autonomy within the People's Republic of China;

has led the effort to preserve the rich cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people and to promote the safeguarding of other endangered cultures throughout the world;

was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts to promote peace and non-violence throughout the globe, and to find democratic reconciliation for the Tibetan people through his 'Middle Way' approach;

has significantly advanced the goal of greater understanding, tolerance, harmony, and respect among the different religious faiths of the world through interfaith dialogue and outreach to other religious leaders; and

has used his moral authority to promote the concept of universal responsibility as a guiding tenet for how human beings should treat one another and the planet we share."

Now that President Bush has signed it into law, the legislation directs that, "The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many enduring contributions to peace and religious understanding."

Further, the Secretary of the Treasury will be responsible for producing "a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions." The bill also provides that bronze duplicates of the gold medal can be produced and sold to the general public.

http://www.tibet.net/en/flash/2006/0906/290906.html

Edited September 29, 2006 by robitusson