[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 338 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 338

   Welcoming His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Washington, DC, and 
 recognizing his commitment to world peace, nonviolence, human rights, 
                   religious freedom, and democracy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 6, 2011

 Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Welcoming His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Washington, DC, and 
 recognizing his commitment to world peace, nonviolence, human rights, 
                   religious freedom, and democracy.

Whereas from July 6, 2011, to July 16, 2011, thousands of Buddhists and others 
        will convene in Washington, DC, to attend a major Tibetan Buddhist 
        teaching and religious empowerment ceremony called the Kalachakra, the 
        underlying purpose of which is to reduce conflict and promote peace 
        individually and globally;
Whereas the Dalai Lama will preside over the Kalachakra teachings and 
        participate in other events in Washington, DC;
Whereas this is the fifth Kalachakra teaching in the United States presided over 
        by the Dalai Lama, and the first in Washington, DC;
Whereas the religious and cultural activities associated with the Kalachakra 
        will enhance the vibrant and diverse cultural life of Washington, DC;
Whereas the Kalachakra's theme of world peace conforms with the Dalai Lama's 
        lifelong commitment to compassion and nonviolence as the path toward 
        solutions to conflicts around the world, including to the ongoing 
        repression in Tibet;
Whereas the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition 
        of his efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the situation in Tibet, 
        and to promote nonviolent methods of resolving conflicts;
Whereas the United States Congress recognized the Dalai Lama's continued 
        commitment to peace and nonviolence by awarding him the Congressional 
        Gold Medal in 2006 and honoring him in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda 
        with President George W. Bush in 2007;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has announced his intention to relinquish his remaining 
        governmental responsibilities within the Tibetan government in exile in 
        favor of the popularly elected leadership of the Tibetan government, 
        while continuing to travel and speak out as a spiritual leader and as a 
        spokesperson for the Tibetan people; and
Whereas the Dalai Lama's announcement is consistent with his decades-long effort 
        to promote democratic self-government for the Tibetan people, the latest 
        manifestation of which was the successful March 2011 elections for chief 
        executive and parliament of the Tibetan government in exile: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) warmly welcomes the Dalai Lama to Washington, DC;
            (2) welcomes all participants convening in Washington, DC, 
        for the Kalachakra teachings and ceremony;
            (3) appreciates the Dalai Lama for promoting individual and 
        world peace, which is the underlying message of the Kalachakra 
        teachings;
            (4) commends the Dalai Lama for his perseverance in 
        striving for a nonviolent solution for Tibet that provides for 
        the religious and cultural autonomy for the Tibetan people, and 
        for seeking a durable and mutually beneficial resolution to the 
        Tibet issue through dialogue with the Chinese Government; and
            (5) extols the maturation of democracy within the Tibetan 
        exile community and the Dalai Lama's efforts to encourage 
        democratic self-governance for Tibetans, Chinese, and others 
        who are denied their basic human rights within the People's 
        Republic of China.
                                 <all>