[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 212 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 212

 Welcoming His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and recognizing his 
   commitment to non-violence, human rights, freedom, and democracy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                July 31 (legislative day, July 21), 2003

 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Smith of New Hamsphire, 
    Mr. Warner, Mr. Allen, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Specter) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

                           September 8, 2003

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Welcoming His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and recognizing his 
   commitment to non-violence, human rights, freedom, and democracy.

Whereas for over 40 years in exile, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has 
        used his position and leadership to promote compassion and non-violence 
        as a solution to not only the present crisis in Tibet, but to other 
        long-running conflicts around the world;
Whereas the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition 
        of his efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the situation in Tibet, 
        and to promote nonviolent methods for resolving conflict;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has been a strong voice for the basic human rights of all 
        peoples, particularly freedom of religion;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has personally promoted democratic self-government for 
        Tibetans in exile as a model for securing freedom for all Tibet, 
        including relinquishing his political positions and turning these 
        authorities over to elected Tibetan representatives;
Whereas the Dalai Lama seeks a solution for Tibet that provides genuine autonomy 
        for the Tibetan people and does not call for independence and separation 
        from the People's Republic of China;
Whereas the envoys of the Dalai Lama have traveled to China and Tibet twice in 
        the past year to begin discussions with Chinese authorities on a 
        permanent negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue;
Whereas the successful advancement of these discussions is in the strong 
        interest of both the Chinese and Tibetan people; and
Whereas it is the policy of the United States to support substantive dialogue 
        between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai 
        Lama or his representatives: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) the visit of the Dalai Lama to the United States in 
        September 2003 is warmly welcomed;
            (2) the Dalai Lama should be recognized and congratulated 
        for his consistent efforts to promote dialogue to peacefully 
        resolve the Tibet issue and to increase the religious and 
        cultural autonomy of the Tibetan people; and
            (3) all parties to the current discussions should be 
        encouraged by the Government of the United States to deepen 
        these contacts in order to achieve the aspirations of the 
        people of Tibet for genuine autonomy and basic human rights.
                                 <all>