[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6972]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF SRI KARUNAMAYI AMMA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Sri Karunamayi Amma, a Hindu spiritual leader who has devoted her life 
to peace, unity, compassion, and respect for all life forms. Sri 
Karunamayi will be visiting Cleveland during her 17th World Tour at the 
end of May.
  Sri Karunamayi, known as ``Amma,'' the Telugu word for ``mother'' by 
her followers, was born in South India in 1958. From an early age, her 
compassion for the less fortunate and her insights into ancient 
Sanskrit spiritual teachings and prayers were noted by her family and 
learned spiritual scholars alike. At the age of 21, Sri Karunamayi 
travelled to the sacred Penusila Forest, where she lived a life of 
strict asceticism, meditation, and study of ancient Vedic texts for ten 
years. At this time, she decided it was time to share her knowledge 
with the rest of the world.
  Since emerging from the Penusila Forest, Sri Karunamayi Amma has 
devoted her life to charity works and teaching. She has founded two 
free elementary schools, a free college, a free hospital, mobile 
medical clinics, emergency relief programs, food and clothing donation 
programs, and free housing programs, all to allow the impoverished 
people of her native India to live better lives. She has also travelled 
the world, sharing her blessings, teachings, and quest for peace, hope, 
and emotional healing with thousands of people. Sri Karunamayi Amma 
teaches that ``we should realize the great opportunity we have as human 
beings to cultivate inner beauty, offer ourselves in service to the 
entire universe, and ultimately attain spiritual liberation.''
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of Sri Karunamayi Amma, whose charitable works and spiritual guidance 
have inspired countless people around the world. I extend my personal 
thanks to Sri Karunamayi for sharing her message with the people of 
northeast Ohio.

                          ____________________