[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 158 (Thursday, September 29, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5534-S5535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE TIBETAN POLICY ACT OF 2002

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 20th 
anniversary of the enactment of the Tibetan Policy Act, which I was 
pleased to introduce in the Senate in May 2001, along with 20 
bipartisan cosponsors. This critical legislation solidified Congress' 
commitment to the Tibetan people, and it makes me so proud to know that 
it continues to shape U.S. policy toward Tibet today.
  From its enactment, this law set the foundation for U.S. policy 
toward Tibet, with the primary goal of preserving the Tibetan way of 
life. The Tibetan Policy Act makes it official U.S. policy to preserve 
the Tibetan language, religious freedom, and cultural expression and to 
press for improved respect for human rights.
  The act also addresses the importance of economic development, 
education, and healthcare for the preservation and prosperity of the 
Tibetan people. This includes addressing the humanitarian needs of 
Tibetan refugees and diaspora communities and promoting activities to 
protect the environment and sustainably manage the water and other 
natural resources of the Tibetan plateau, which has become even more 
important now as we deal with extreme heat, flooding, and drought as a 
result of climate change.
  To achieve these objectives, we established in statute the position 
of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department, 
whose primary role is to coordinate U.S. Government policies, programs, 
and projects concerning Tibet. These include U.S. Government assistance 
for nongovernmental organizations to work in Tibetan communities in 
China and programs to support human rights and democracy in Tibet, 
among others.
  The Special Coordinator's central objective, however, is to promote 
dialogue between the Chinese Government and Tibet's exiled spiritual 
leader, the Dalai Lama, and his representatives. This is very important 
to me as I have always believed in the importance of dialogue to 
improve mutual understanding and respect, especially with those with 
whom you have the deepest disagreements. It was important to me as 
mayor of San Francisco, when we developed the first ``sister city'' 
relationship with Shanghai in 1980, and it remains important to me 
today as a U.S. Senator.
  However, to my disappointment, dialogue between the Chinese 
Government and the Dalai Lama's representatives have stalled since 
2010. I have encouraged this and prior administrations at every 
opportunity to open and exercise channels of communication with China, 
and I likewise call upon the Chinese Government to engage in dialogue 
with the Dalai Lama, who is unquestionably the cultural and spiritual 
leader of the Tibetan people.
  The Tibetan people remain close to my heart, as they are for so many 
in California and as they were for my late husband, Richard Blum, who 
introduced me to Tibet and felt so passionately about advancing the 
human rights of Tibetans and preserving their unique heritage.
  I am proud of what we accomplished with this legislation, but there 
is more work to be done. It is imperative for those of us in Congress 
to continue vigorously supporting the aspirations of

[[Page S5535]]

the Tibetan people, to safeguard their identity and culture, and to 
advocate for the importance of dialogue to improve their relations with 
the Chinese Government. I urge my colleagues to join me in doing so.

                          ____________________