[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E327-E328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF HIS HOLINESS THE GYALWANG DRUKPA JIGME PEMA WANGCHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2017

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa Jigme Pema Wangchen on the 
occasion of his birthday.
  His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa is the head of the 1,000 year-old 
Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism, which originates from the Indian Scholar-
Saint Naropa, an unbroken ancient lineage that continues to thrive. The 
Drukpa Lineage has over 30 million followers worldwide and has a 
profound cultural influence throughout the Himalayan region.
  Inspired by a strong belief that all individuals can work for the 
benefit of their communities, His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa is a 
world-renowned humanitarian, environmentalist, and champion of gender 
equality. His good works have been recognized by the United Nations and 
the Indian Government. The international non-profit Waterkeepers 
Alliance named His Holiness the Guardian of the Himalayas.
  His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa and his followers provided relief 
services to tens of thousands in the Himalayas following the 
devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal and continues to rebuild the 
community. Additionally, he supports and organizes clinics which 
provide access to medical services in remote communities.
  His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa works tirelessly to empower, 
educate, protect and inspire girls and women in the Himalayas and 
around the world and has led efforts to ensure that the rights of 
peoples of all faiths and nationalities are equally respected and 
protected.
  His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa personally trekked and bicycled 
thousands of miles across the Himalayas to further the goals of gender 
equality and of environmental stewardship.
  His Holiness supports myriad educational initiatives which seek to 
improve people's lives through education while simultaneously fostering 
respect for and knowledge of indigenous cultures. In furtherance of 
this aim, His Holiness has led efforts to preserve local art and to 
disseminate globally knowledge about the local cultural heritage.
  His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa has led multiple initiatives to 
protect the environment in the Himalayas. As part of the One Million 
Trees project, His Holiness organized in 2012 the largest simultaneous 
tree planting initiative to support clean air and protect against soil 
erosion.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
spiritual and humanitarian leadership of His Holiness the Gyalwang 
Drukpa Jigme Pema Wangchen on the occasion of his birthday.

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