September 2006 (Washington DC)
Thanks to overwhelming support in Congress, the US House of Representatives on September 13 voted to award His Holiness the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor. The award 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.
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.
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List of current Cosponsors Click here to check out which Congressional Representatives have already signed this bill.
Representative Lookup Click here to find the details of your Congressional Representative.
Congressional Gold Medal Bill Click here to see the text of the Bill (when it passed the US Senate).
Background
It is no exaggeration to say that the U.S. Congress has been the cornerstone of international support for the Dalai Lama. In the 1980s and 1990s Congressional advocacy led to programs and policies that have made a tremendous difference for Tibetan refugees and, more recently, have provided support for projects inside Tibet. Yet, among all this expression of Congressional support, one key recognition is noticeably absent - the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor!
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for exceptional service and for lifetime contributions. The medal has been awarded to individuals and groups from all walks of life. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Pope John Paul II, the Navajo Code Talkers, Rosa Parks, Frank Sinatra, and Elie Wiesel are among those who have been honored.
By awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama, Congress will be sending an important signal of US support to ongoing discussions between Chinese officials and the Tibetan Government in Exile.
List of current Cosponsors Click here to check out which Congressional Representatives have already signed this bill.
Representative Lookup Click here to find the details of your Congressional Representative.
