IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 338 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

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.