[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING GURUDEV SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2023

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize Gurudev Sri Sri 
Ravi Shankar's distinguished career as a global humanitarian and 
spiritual leader. For over 40 years, Gurudev has helped guide 
individuals in Illinois and throughout the world in their search for 
inner peace with his programs rooted in meditation and yoga. Through 
his charity work and educational efforts, Gurudev has spread his belief 
that if individuals find inner peace, it can lead to real world 
reductions in violence and conflict.
  In 1981, Gurudev founded the Art of Living Foundation, a non-profit 
focused on the promotion of meditation and humanitarianism. To date, 
Gurudev and the Art of Living Foundation have engaged in humanitarian 
efforts in numerous conflict zones and currently operates in over 100 
countries. He also founded the International Association for Human 
Values, which offers programs to reduce stress. Together, these 
organizations have thousands of volunteers who continue the important 
work of supporting individuals and communities in need.
  Gurudev's knowledge and experience with conflict resolution have 
allowed him to play vital roles in peace negotiations globally. In 
particular, Gurudev has promoted multiple interfaith dialogues to 
establish mutual respect and understanding, including between religious 
groups that may have been in conflict previously. This unique approach 
to conflict resolution, which focuses on communication and universal 
values, has proven its merit repeatedly.
  Furthermore, Gurudev has had a long-term focus on youth empowerment. 
He started over 1,000 schools that provide a free education within 
disadvantaged communities, benefiting over 82,000 students and 
equipping them with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in 
life. Additionally, Gurudev has shown his commitment to a cleaner and 
healthier environment by leading an effort that restored approximately 
70 rivers and thousands of bodies of water in India, as well as 
planting some 80 million trees throughout the world.
  With his message of peace and commitment to education and 
humanitarianism, Gurudev has lived a life dedicated to the betterment 
of others. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my immense gratitude to 
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his invaluable contributions.

                          ____________________