[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE DALAI LAMA UPON BEING AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD 
                                 MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 22, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Dalai 
Lama upon being awarded the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal of 
Honor.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's highest and most 
distinguished civilian award. The honor must be approved by at least 
two-thirds of the Members of both the House of Representatives and the 
Senate in order to be awarded. Over 100 awards have been conferred 
since its creation in 1776, including recipients General George 
Washington, Winston Churchill, and Nelson Mandela.
  His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, has exemplified the spirit 
of the award, demonstrating tremendous compassion and tolerance. 
Through his selfless advocacy of peace and human rights, the Dalai Lama 
has lived as an example of what one committed individual can 
accomplish. His efforts to better the lives of the Tibetan people have 
not gone unnoticed, and I am truly honored to play a role in this 
special day. I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me in 
honoring His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

                          ____________________