[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 133 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1845]]


  AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE ROTUNDA AND GROUNDS OF THE CAPITOL FOR A 
 CEREMONY TO AWARD THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO TENZIN GYATSO, THE 
                         FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 196, which authorizes the use of the Rotunda grounds of the 
Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Tenzin 
Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. I would like to thank Congressman 
Brady for introducing this bill to honor such an inspirational and 
charismatic person who has touched the lives of millions around the 
world.
  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 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. The Dalai Lama is well qualified to 
join the list of individuals who have received this most distinguished 
of honors.
  Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, is recognized in the United 
States and throughout the world as a leading figure of moral and 
religious authority. He is the unrivaled spiritual and cultural leader 
of the Tibetan people, and has used his leadership to promote 
democracy, freedom, and peace for the Tibetan people through a 
negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue, based on autonomy within the 
People's Republic of China.
  This Dalai Lama has led the effort to preserve the rich cultural, 
religious, and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people and to promote 
the safeguarding of other endangered cultures throughout the world.
  For his efforts on behalf of humanity, this Dalai Lama was awarded 
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. His efforts to promote peace and non-
violence around the globe, and to find democratic reconciliation for 
the Tibetan people through his ``Middle Way'' approach, has won him 
world-wide acclaim.
  This Dalai Lama has significantly advanced the goal of greater 
understanding, tolerance, harmony, and respect among the different 
religious faiths of the world through interfaith dialogue and outreach 
to other religious leaders and, perhaps most important, he has used his 
moral authority to promote the concept of universal responsibility as a 
guiding tenet for how human beings should treat one another and the 
planet we share.
  For these reasons, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 196 and urge my 
colleagues to join me in voting to authorize the use of the Rotunda 
grounds of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold 
Medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

                          ____________________