[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 140 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  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

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, 20 years ago--in October of 1987--His 
Holiness the Dalai Lama came here to Washington for the purpose of 
sharing with the leaders of our country his mission to end the 
systematic abuse by the People's Republic of China of the fundamental 
human rights of the people of Tibet.
  In that effort, His Holiness did not have much success.
  For fear offending the People's Republic of China, President Reagan 
chose not to meet with him.
  At the Department of State, it was the same story.
  But at the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which I founded and of 
which I was then--and remain--co-chairman, we decided in the face of 
much protest to give to the Dalai Lama the forum he deserved. To this 
day, I am proud of that decision.
  And I am proud that, just as this body was the first in our 
Government to give the Dalai Lama a venue to speak on behalf of his 
people, we will take the lead again and honor him with the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  I have come to know the Dalai Lama is one of our era's greatest moral 
heroes, sharing a commitment to peace of other great leaders of our 
time, including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and the Reverend Martin 
Luther King, Jr.
  At a time in history when national grievances are often expressed in 
the most strident language and when political violence and rage are 
everywhere, the Dalai Lama speaks with a different voice. Instead of 
hating his opponents, he recognizes the humanity of those who are 
oppressing his people. Always, he seeks to find the path to harmony and 
peace.
  ``I speak not with a feeling of anger or hatred toward those who are 
responsible for the immense suffering of our people and the destruction 
of our land, homes and culture,'' said His Holiness in his Nobel 
Lecture. ``They, too, are human beings who struggle to find happiness 
and deserve our compassion. I speak to inform you of the sad situation 
in my country today and of the aspirations of my people, because in our 
struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.''
  We have before us today, a resolution whose purpose is to authorize 
the use, on October 17, of the rotunda of the Capitol as the venue for 
the ceremony at which my dear friend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, will 
receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
  That is an appropriate location. The Capitol is the great symbol of 
American freedom--and of hope to millions around the world. Who better 
to be honored there?
  I strongly support the resolution and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.

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