[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18115-18119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the Senate bill (S. 2784) to award a congressional gold medal to Tenzin 
Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many enduring 
and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and 
religious understanding.
  The Clerk read as follows

                                S. 2784

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fourteenth Dalai Lama 
     Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai 
     Lama--
       (1) is recognized in the United States and throughout the 
     world as a leading figure of moral and religious authority;
       (2) 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;
       (3) 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;
       (4) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his 
     efforts to promote peace and non-violence throughout the 
     globe, and to find democratic reconciliation for the Tibetan 
     people through his ``Middle Way'' approach;
       (5) 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
       (6) 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.

     SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on 
     behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate 
     design, to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in 
     recognition of his many enduring contributions to peace and 
     religious understanding.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a 
     gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions 
     to be determined by the Secretary.

     SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such 
     regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price 
     sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and 
     the cost of the gold medal.

     SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this 
     Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 
     5136 of title 31, United

[[Page 18116]]

     States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
     considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to 
     be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of 
     the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be 
     deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Frank) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on this legislation and insert extraneous material 
thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  As the House author of this legislation, I rise in strong support of 
Senate bill 2784, the 14th Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act.
  I would like to thank my dear friend and colleague, the ranking 
member of International Relations Committee, Congressman Tom Lantos, 
for his dedicated work on this legislation as the Democratic lead of 
this House bill. I also would like to commend the Financial Services 
chairman, Michael Oxley, and his staff for their great work on this 
resolution as well as the House leadership and their staff for their 
assistance in bringing this important legislation to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the House International Relations 
Committee and as a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I 
have had the opportunity to meet personally with the Dalai Lama on 
several occasions, most recently in November 2005, when he spoke to 
Congress on issues relating to democracy, human rights, and Tibet.
  Born to a peasant family, His Holiness was recognized at the age of 
two, in accordance with the tradition of Tibet, as the reincarnation of 
his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama, and thus an incarnation of the 
Buddha of Compassion.
  His enthronement ceremony took place in the capital of Tibet on 
February 22, 1940, at the tender age of five. A decade later, on 
November 17, 1950, His Holiness was called upon to assume the position 
of head of state for the people of Tibet.
  His Holiness is the embodiment of serenity and understandings. His 
inner peace and calm demeanor give us hope that a resolution can be 
reached on the issue of Tibet. As the 14th Dalai Lama, he is the 
manifestation of compassion. To look at him is to understand the 
meaning of Dalai Lama, which is ``Oceans of Wisdom.''
  By awarding the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Gold Medal, we are 
recognizing his lifelong advocacy on behalf of peace, tolerance, human 
rights, nonviolence, and religious understanding throughout the world. 
By definition, a Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression by 
Congress of national appreciation for the most heroic, courageous, and 
outstanding individuals.
  Given the overwhelming support of this legislation as evidenced by 
the bipartisan support of 312 cosponsors in the House companion 
legislation, I am confident that Members of this Chamber deem that the 
Dalai Lama is indeed such an individual.

                              {time}  2015

  However, we are not the first to recognize the tremendous 
achievements of this humble man. In 1989, the 14th Dalai Lama received 
the Nobel Peace Prize for his work bringing democracy and freedom to 
his people. In the recommendation, the committee members of the Nobel 
Prize wrote: ``The committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai 
Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has 
opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful 
solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve 
the historical and cultural heritage of his people.''
  The 14th Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act comes at a crucial 
and hopeful turning point in the ongoing negotiations between the Dalai 
Lama's representatives and the People's Republic of China.
  In a speech delivered following His Holiness' acceptance of the Nobel 
Peace Prize, he said, ``It is my dream that the entire Tibetan plateau 
should become a free refuge where humanity and nature can live in peace 
and in harmonious balance. It would be a place,'' he continues, ``where 
people from all over the world could come to seek the true meaning of 
peace within themselves, away from the tension and pressures that occur 
in much of the rest of the world. Tibet could indeed become a creative 
center for the promotion and development of peace,'' he concluded.
  Join me, I ask my colleagues, in paying homage to this fearless 
leader who has led the efforts to preserve the rich cultural, 
spiritual, and linguistic heritage of the people of Tibet while also 
promoting the safeguarding of other endangered cultures throughout the 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the 
14th Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important 
piece of legislation recognizing one of the truly great advocates of 
human rights in our time, a man who in the face of enormous adversity 
generated by the People's Republic of China's oppression has really 
held forth the banner of human rights.
  I therefore am delighted to yield as much time as he may consume to 
our champion of human rights here in the House of Representatives, the 
ranking member of the Committee on International Relations who has for 
his entire life been a very vigorous defender of the cause of freedom 
in a variety of also adverse circumstances, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos).
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of our legislation 
to award the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
  I would first like to express my great appreciation to my dear friend 
Congressman Barney Frank not only for yielding me some time, but, far 
more importantly, for being a tireless champion in advancing human 
rights. Let me also thank the chairman of the Financial Services 
Committee, my friend, Mr. Oxley, for expediting consideration of this 
legislation, as well as my colleague from the International Relations 
Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and for her leadership on this 
legislation on behalf of the Tibetan people and all human rights 
issues.
  Mr. Speaker, 19 years ago this month, His Holiness the Dalai Lama at 
the invitation of my wife, Annette, addressed the Congressional Human 
Rights Caucus that I cofounded and which I currently chair with our 
colleague Frank Wolf. The historic speech His Holiness delivered was 
his first major policy address outside of India and the first time he 
had ever appeared before the Congress.
  The Dalai Lama unveiled his Five Point Peace Plan for Tibet. We did 
not know it at the time, but what we heard was to become the foundation 
for the Dalai Lama's fight on behalf of the people of Tibet.
  While we were welcoming His Holiness on Capitol Hill, the State 
Department and the White House refused to meet with him. The 
individuals responsible for crafting our foreign policy back then 
crouched under their desks unwilling to risk the ire of the Chinese 
Government by meeting with the true leader of the Tibetan people.
  Nearly two decades later, His Holiness regularly meets with 
Presidents and Secretaries of State. During his last visit to 
Washington, this brave

[[Page 18117]]

man, small of stature but with an infinite heart, was greeted by dozens 
of Members of Congress. Tens of thousands of Washington residents 
packed an auditorium for several nights to hear his words of wisdom.
  His Holiness has used his international acclaim to speak out 
forcefully against the cultural and religious annihilation of the 
Tibetan people. Rather than resorting to force, the Dalai Lama has 
actively pursued a negotiated solution to the Tibetan issue with the 
Chinese Government. In five rounds of discussions, representatives of 
the Dalai Lama have argued with determination to the Chinese that the 
Tibetan people must have true religious, cultural, and economic 
autonomy, and that the current marginalization of the Tibetan people in 
their own land must end.
  Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama 
will send a strong signal of congressional support for a negotiated 
settlement to the Tibetan issue that preserves Tibetan culture and 
promotes genuine autonomy for the long-suffering people of Tibet.
  Through his words and through his deeds, the Dalai Lama has made an 
enduring contribution to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and 
religious understanding. With our action here today, Mr. Speaker, His 
Holiness will join the ranks of Pope John Paul II, Elie Wiesel, Nelson 
Mandela, and Mother Teresa, all of whom have been awarded the 
Congressional Gold Medal, a pantheon of peacemakers. I strongly support 
passage of this legislation.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to another 
staunch defender of human rights throughout the world, the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich), such time as he may consume.
  Mr. KUCINICH. I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for 
his own commitment to human rights and thank Mr. Lantos for the 
lifetime of work that characterizes not only himself but Mrs. Lantos as 
well.
  This is an important moment for this Congress because through 
recognizing the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Gold Medal, we also 
recognize his lifetime of work which has been about elevating the human 
spirit. Because in that we transcend the little labels of Democrat and 
Republican, liberal and conservative, and we come to an understanding 
of human unity, those principles which unite us all. We learn through 
celebrating the Dalai Lama's life and his contributions the 
transformative power of love, the transformative power of compassion.
  In his work, he has challenged us to look at those things in our 
lives which cause anger, to look at those things in our lives which 
relate to negativity, and to consciously work on those things so that 
we become more perfect. Wasn't that really the message of our Founders 
with respect to the creation of the United States itself, that the work 
of our government should ever be to form a more perfect Union?
  So it is that the spiritual work of the Dalai Lama informs all of us 
that we can perfect ourselves, that we can practice daily, taking a 
walk down the path towards a more meaningful life. He teaches us 
patience. And certainly, in this great body, patience is something that 
lends us to understanding of each other, to having compassion for each 
other.
  This is an important moment for this Congress, when we understand 
that the Dalai Lama's teachings involve karma, an understanding of the 
power and the consequences of every thought, word, and deed, knowing 
that for every action there might be another action that follows. The 
symmetry between Buddhism and some of the teachings of Christianity is 
instructive here. Buddhists talk, and the Dalai Lama talks, about the 
law of karma. Christianity, we know of teachings that say as you sow, 
so shall you reap. So much of our lives are penetrated by spiritual 
dimensions that we often don't pay much attention to. But in moments 
like this when we celebrate the life and the work of a single person, 
we come to an understanding of not only his relationship to us and our 
relationship to him, but of our relationship to each other. And so when 
we celebrate him, we are celebrating ourselves, too, and our higher 
potential, not only as public servants but as human beings.
  The Dalai Lama speaks about a path to tranquility. Is it possible in 
a public forum which is centered on such vigorous debate that we can 
find tranquility? His teachings would say, yes, because tranquility is 
an inner condition.
  So, Mr. Speaker, the honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, our leader Ms. 
Pelosi, this is an important moment for this Congress, and I am proud 
to play a small part in recognizing the great work and person of the 
Dalai Lama.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. And 
to close out our side here, and I think the debate, I yield such time 
as she may consume to a woman who has not only been a leader in human 
rights but was an early advocate and personal friend of the Dalai Lama.
  Let me say, Mr. Speaker, that a few years ago when he spoke at 
Brandeis University in the district of my colleague, Mr. Markey and I 
were there to meet him, and he had taken a stand that may have been a 
little controversial. And the first thing he said to me was, this was 
years before the gentlewoman from California had ascended to 
leadership. He said, ``Congressman, please tell Nancy Pelosi not to be 
angry; I am going to explain this to her.'' So when the Dalai Lama is 
concerned about her opinion of him, I think that says a great deal 
about her own commitment and dedication. And, of course, he did 
explain; and, no, she was not angry. She respected him then, she 
respects him now, and I am delighted to yield to her such time as she 
may consume.
  Ms. PELOSI. Well, at the time I think the message that I told myself 
was, we can't be holier than His Holiness. If it is okay with him, it 
was okay with me.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for all of his 
leadership and assistance in bringing this important legislation to the 
floor. And I also commend Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for her 
leadership, not only on bringing the legislation, but her work on this 
important issue. Tom Lantos, Frank Wolf have just been relentless for 
His Holiness; and in the Senate, Senator Dianne Feinstein who 
represents California in the U.S. Senate but is a close personal friend 
also of His Holiness.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is the most distinguished award bestowed 
by the United States Congress. It is reserved for the most heroic, most 
courageous, most outstanding individuals who have made lasting 
contributions to society, individuals such as John Paul II, Mother 
Teresa, Elie Wiesel, and Nelson Mandela.
  Today, by honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we not only honor 
him, but we add luster to this Congressional Gold Medal. We honor our 
Nation and the American people by awarding it to His Holiness. I am 
proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation.
  His Holiness often described himself in the following way: ``I am 
just a simple monk, no more, no less.'' But he represents much more to 
people throughout the world.

                              {time}  2030

  Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is the earthly 
manifestation of the living Buddha. On the world stage, he is seen as 
the head of state and the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. For 
millions, he is seen as a source of spiritual refuge and a connection 
to inner peace and harmony, that my colleague Mr. Kucinich was 
discussing.
  His Holiness has traveled the world, building bridges between and 
among the different faiths. He has used his position to promote wisdom, 
compassion and nonviolence as a solution, not only in Tibet, but to 
other world conflicts.
  His leadership is not only in the area of faith and harmony among 
people, but also in protecting the environment. I remember it was a 
great joy seeing him speak at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992.
  The Dalai Lama has made the human rights situation in Tibet an issue 
of

[[Page 18118]]

international concern. Indeed, the situation in Tibet is a challenge to 
the conscience of the world. Under Chinese occupation, hundreds of 
thousands of Tibetans have died. Freedom to practice their religion and 
political expression have been severely curtailed. So powerful is the 
image of the Dalai Lama that Tibetans are imprisoned for simply owning 
a picture of him.
  As a new Member of Congress in 1987, I was in attendance, at the 
invitation of my colleague from San Francisco Tom Lantos, when the 
Dalai Lama proposed the historic Five-Point Peace Plan toward resolving 
the future status of Tibet. The Dalai Lama proposed a ``Middle Way 
Approach'' that seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the 
framework of the People's Republic of China. Autonomy, not 
independence.
  In recent years, Tibetan envoys have traveled to China for five 
rounds of discussions on the status of Tibet. While open dialogue is a 
first step, it is clear that the Chinese government has been stalling 
all along.
  The Chinese are missing an historic opportunity to negotiate with a 
partner who has the authority and the legitimacy to implement a 
comprehensive agreement. The Chinese are missing an opportunity for a 
solution that would ensure internal stability in Tibet and bolster 
China's reputation in the world.
  The Dalai Lama has asked for international support for his efforts to 
engage the Chinese government. I am proud to say that the U.S. Congress 
has been a bedrock of support for the Tibetan cause. By awarding the 
gold medal to the Dalai Lama, Congress is sending an important signal 
of support for going further.
  This is not the first gift our country has given to His Holiness. Of 
course, for many years and decades, we have given the gift of respect, 
of reverence and appreciation for all that His Holiness is and does. 
But when he was a little boy, the special relationship he had with 
America was demonstrated when Franklin Roosevelt, as President of the 
United States, gave His Holiness one of his favorite gifts which was a 
gold watch which had the phases of the Moon on the watch. It was a 
wonderful thing, a gift from the President to this little boy who had 
been named the Dalai Lama.
  When His Holiness was driven out of Tibet by the Chinese invasion, it 
was one of the few things that he carried with him. So he had the gold 
watch, and now all these many years later, out of respect and reverence 
for him, he will have the Congressional Goeld Medal.
  I urge my colleagues to support it and look forward to the day when 
we can present it to him in the halls of Congress.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I consume just to express to the government of the People's Republic of 
China, on behalf I think of this entire House, a plea that they 
understand that their desire to be recognized as a great Nation, their 
security in this world will be enhanced, not diminished, if they reach 
out to this great leader who has moved in a direction beyond what some 
would want him to go to try and reach a compromise involving autonomy 
for the people of Tibet.
  It is simply unbecoming for a Nation with the economic might of 
China, with the potential military might of China to appear to be 
frightened of this gentle, loving advocate of human dignity.
  So we urge the Chinese Government, the entire House does, to 
reconsider its unwillingness to meet halfway as the Dalai Lama has 
agreed to do, and to give him the ability to return to Tibet, to a 
people that yearns for him, to reconcile with the people of Tibet and 
with the Dalai Lama, and the Chinese Government will be the 
beneficiaries, not the victims.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the House is able to pass this bill, 
unanimously I believe we will be doing it
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support of S. 2784, the 
``Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act,'' and urge its 
immediate passage.
  This legislation was introduced by the Senator from California, Mrs. 
Feinstein, and is identical to H.R. 4562, introduced by the gentle lady 
from Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. The House version currently has 312 co-
sponsors, is compliant with all House and Financial Services Committee 
rules, and has been scored as budget-neutral by CBO.
  Under the legislation, the Speaker and the President Pro Tempore of 
the Senate are authorized to present, on behalf of Congress, a gold 
medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, or spiritual, 
cultural and, in effect, governmental leader of Tibet, who has lived in 
exile from his native country since 1959, when he fled the power of the 
People's Republic of China.
  Mr. Speaker, the Dalai Lama has spent the 47 years of his exile 
peacefully seeking to establish a form of autonomous self rule for 
Tibet. In doing so, he has earned the great respect of the world 
community for the quiet, disciplined and non-violent way he has chosen 
to lead his struggle--in fact, the respect is so great that in 1989, he 
was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee said the award 
came ``for his consistent resistance to the use of violence in his 
people's struggle to regain their liberty . . . He has instead 
advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in 
order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people.''
  Mr. Speaker, Tibet is a long way from the United States, and a far 
different land about which most Americans know little. But the Dalai 
Lama's basic beliefs--peace, human rights, preservation of culture and 
of the environment, and the promotion of harmony and respect among 
religions--are so familiar to all of us that we may feel we know this 
quiet man in some special way, and he us. In fact, at a ceremony in the 
Capitol Rotunda in 1991, the Dalai Lama said of his childhood view of 
the United States: ``What truly inspired me were your ideas of freedom 
and democracy. I felt that your principles were identical to my own, 
the Buddhist belief in fundamental human rights, freedom, equality, 
tolerance and compassion for all.''
  Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian 
honor the Congress can bestow. Previous recipients have included Pope 
John Paul II, Mother Teresa and Elie Wiesel. His Holiness, the 
Fourteenth Dalai Lama, stands with them in his beliefs, and in the way 
his life embodies them. It is appropriate and, perhaps, overdue that we 
confer upon him this medal, this mark of respect and admiration. I urge 
immediate passage of this bill.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, with great sadness I must rise to oppose this 
measure granting a congressional gold medal to the 14th Dalai Lama. 
While I greatly admire and respect His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and 
fully recognize his tremendous status both as a Buddhist leader and 
international advocate for peace, I must object to the manner in which 
this body chooses to honor him.
  I wonder if my colleagues see the irony in honoring a devout Buddhist 
monk with a material gift of gold. The Buddhist tradition, of course, 
eschews worldly possessions in favor of purity of thought and action. 
Buddhism urges its practitioners to alleviate the suffering of others 
whenever possible. I'm sure His Holiness the Dalai Lama would rather 
see $30,000 spent to help those less fortunate, rather than for a feel-
good congressional gesture.
  We cannot forget that Congress has no authority under the 
Constitution to spend taxpayer money on medals and awards, no matter 
how richly deserved. And I reiterate my offer of $100 from my own 
pocket to pay for this medal--if members wish to honor the Dalai Lama, 
all we need to do is pay for it ourselves. If all 435 of us contribute, 
the cost will be roughly $70 each. So while a gold medal sounds like a 
great idea, it becomes a bit strange when we see the actual cost 
involved.
  If Congress truly wishes to honor the Dalai Lama, it could instead 
start by showing more respect for his views in the areas of foreign 
policy, war, and terrorism. The bellicosity often demonstrated on the 
floor of this institution toward entire nations and their people 
conflicts sharply with the peaceful teachings of the Dalai Lama.
  Consider the following words of His Holiness:
  ``When September 11 happened, the next day I wrote a letter to 
President Bush as a friend--because I know him personally. I wrote this 
letter and expressed, besides my condolences and sadness, a 
countermeasure to this tragedy: a nonviolent response because that 
would have been more effective. So this is my stance. And then just 
before the Iraq crisis started, millions of people from countries like 
Australia and America expressed their opposition to violence. I really 
admired and appreciated this.''
  ``When the war started, some people immediately asked me if it was 
justified or not,

[[Page 18119]]

whether it was right or wrong. In principle, any resort to violence is 
wrong.''
  Consider also these thoughts from the Dalai Lama regarding the 
terrible pointlessness of war:
  ``We have seen that we cannot solve human problems by fighting. 
Problems resulting from differences in opinion must be resolved through 
the gradual process of dialogue. Undoubtedly, wars produce victors and 
losers; but only temporarily. Victory or defeat resulting from wars 
cannot be long-lasting. Secondly, our world has become so 
interdependent that the defeat of one country must impact the rest of 
the world, or cause all of us to suffer losses either directly or 
indirectly.''
  ``Today, the world is so small and so interdependent that the concept 
of war has become anachronistic, an outmoded approach. As a rule, we 
always talk about reform and changes. Among the old traditions, there 
are many aspects that are either ill-suited to our present reality or 
are counterproductive due to their shortsightedness. These, we have 
consigned to the dustbin of history. War too should be relegated to the 
dustbin of history.''
  ``Of course, the militaristic tradition may not end easily. But, let 
us think of this. If there were bloodshed, people in positions of 
power, or those who are responsible, will find safe places; they will 
escape the consequent hardship. They will find safety for themselves, 
one way or the other. But what about the poor people, the defenseless 
people, the children, the old and infirm. They are the ones who will 
have to bear the brunt of devastation. When weapons are fired, the 
result will be death and destruction. Weapons will not discriminate 
between the innocent and guilty. A missile, once fired, will show no 
respect to the innocent, poor, defenseless, or those worthy of 
compassion. Therefore, the real losers will be the poor and 
defenseless, ones who are completely innocent, and those who lead a 
hand-to-mouth existence.''
  Mr. Speaker, in closing let me join my colleagues in stating my 
tremendous respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. While I cannot 
agree with forcible taxation to pay for gold medals, I certainly hope 
Congress takes the teaching of His Holiness to heart and begins to 
rethink our aggressive, interventionist foreign policy.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 
2784, which authorizes the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to 
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. 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 
nonviolence throughout 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 S. 2784 and urge my colleagues 
to join me in voting to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Tenzin 
Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2784 to award a 
congressional gold metal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, 
in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to 
peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding.
  I am honored to support the Dalai Lama to receive the Congressional 
Gold Metal. He has dedicated himself to the Tibetan people and the 
pursuit freedom. He is the head of state and spiritual leader of the 
Tibetan people--the epitome of strength and courage, revered around the 
world for his commitment to the cause of human rights and religious 
freedom--a man who wants only to be able to return to his country in 
peace and to lead his people in the practice of their religion. He had 
led the effort to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetan 
people.
  I traveled to Tibet in 1997 and saw with my own eyes the suffering 
the Tibetan people endure. I visited monasteries and talked with many 
people. Several monks spoke to me in secret and shared with me the 
horrors taking place in Tibet. I heard stories of monks and nuns who 
were dragged away to prison and tortured.
  These monks and nuns are not alone. Religious persecution is spread 
across China. Catholic bishops are in prisons and labor camps. 
Protestant House Church leaders are routinely harassed and detained. 
Large numbers of Muslims in China are in prison because of their faith. 
Young Muslim Uighur boys and girls are not even allowed to enter a 
mosque until they are 18-years-old.
  I have been standing on the floor of this House talking about human 
rights in China and the Dalai Lama for two decades. The world is now 
looking for resolutions to the human rights problems in China and 
Tibet. There has been a dialogue taking place between the Dalai Lama's 
envoys and the Chinese, and that is good. But we now need to see some 
concrete results from these talks. The Tibetan people deserve to live 
in peace.
  I am proud to support the Dalai Lama for the Congressional Gold 
Medal. He has kept the cause of human rights alive in Tibet and in 
other places around the globe. He is a true hero to me and many others 
throughout the world.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I fully support this legislation to bestow 
the Congressional Gold Medal upon Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. 
His Holiness is a spiritual beacon for thousands, and he has traveled 
the world to develop common ground among different faiths. He stands 
for and embodies peace and harmony.
  I also honor the Dalai Lama for his continuing work to expand 
freedoms for the Tibetan people. Under Chinese rule, the human rights 
situation in Tibet is reprehensible--religious and political freedoms 
are severely curtailed and thousands of Tibetans have died. Practicing 
compassion and non-violence, the Dalai Lama has met with world leaders 
and has attempted to engage the Chinese government to reach a solution 
that will give freedom to his people. Regrettably, the Chinese 
government has been stubborn in its resistence, but I hope they will 
soon have a change of mind and heart about the situation in Tibet.
  As a spiritual force and as a head of state, the Dalai Lama shows us 
all the meaning of peace and compassion. He deserves this honor, and I 
thank the leadership for bringing the bill before us.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2784.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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