A candidate for Virginia’s Lt. Governor has issued a statement reaching out to the Tibetan-American community in Virginia. The race is reported to be especially tightly contested this year.
Gene Rossi, who is campaigning to be a Democratic candidate for the Lt. Governor race, has posted a statement on Facebook on June 6, 2017, in which he has said: “As Lt. Governor, I want to make sure we recognize the important contributions of our Tibetan-American neighbors. I look forward to inviting His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit with us in Richmond, and plan to work with legislators to recognize a Tibet Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The primaries to elect the Democratic and Republican candidates will take place on June 13, 2017. In addition to Gene Rossi, the other Democratic contenders are Justin E. Fairfax and Susan S. Platt. On the Republican side, the contenders for the Lt. Governor ticket are Bryce E. Reeves, Glenn R. Davis, Jr. and Jill H. Vogel.
Virginia has a small Tibetan American population, mainly in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia and in the Charlottesville area. This might be the first time a state-level candidate in the United States has appealed directly to Tibetan-American voters.
Following is the full statement that Gene Rossi has posted on his Facebook page:
Faith is such an important part of all of our communities. Two Sundays ago, I worshiped at the 6th Mt. Zion Church in Richmond. This past Friday, I was privileged to attend the ADAMS Center for Friday prayer services during the holy month of Ramadan.
But this month is also Saka Dawa, the Buddhist holy month honoring the Shakyamuni Buddha in the year 2144 on the Tibetan calendar.
As Lt. Governor, I want to make sure we recognize the important contributions of our Tibetan-American neighbors. I look forward to inviting His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit with us in Richmond, and plan to work with legislators to recognize a Tibet Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia.