[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10093-10094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THE UNITED STATES MUST NOT ABANDON THE PEOPLE OF TIBET

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2017

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the people of Tibet are living under 
China's repressive rule and their culture, religion, and way of life is 
at risk of being extinguished. The human rights abuses and constant 
repression on Tibetans perpetrated by China are intolerable and must be 
resisted by the United States and this Congress. Religious freedom and 
the preservation of Tibetan cultural and linguistic traditions are 
essential to a new generation of Tibetans, both inside Tibet and in 
exile communities in India, Nepal, and the United States (including our 
vibrant community in Minnesota).
  Past U.S. administrations have supported human rights, democracy, and 
education programs for the people of Tibet. Whether it is Tibetan 
language broadcasts as a source of independent information, the Tibetan 
Scholarship Program, or the Ngawang Choephel Fellows Program, these 
modest U.S. investments have had a strong and positive impact on 
creating a pathway for Tibetan leaders and voices of freedom. USAID has 
made important investment in support of Tibetans inside Tibet and 
living as refugees.
  It is unacceptable that the Trump administration's fiscal year 2018 
budget eliminates funding for many of the important programs supporting 
the people of Tibet. It is up to Congress to ensure necessary funds are 
appropriated to sustain the Tibetan programs for the coming fiscal 
year. Eliminating these funds, as proposed, is an abandonment of the 
Tibetan people and will give China a green light to accelerate their 
cruel repression and destruction of Tibetan lives and culture.
  There is one additional issue that is of utmost urgency, the 
appointment of a new Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the 
Department of State. This position, authorized in the Tibetan Policy 
Act of 2002, is intended to guide U.S. policy toward Tibet and 
communicate directly with the Chinese government. I

[[Page 10094]]

would urge Secretary Tillerson and the White House to fill this 
position immediately.
  Last weekend, Minnesota had the honor of hosting His Holiness the 
14th Dalai Lama. I had the privilege of attending a public event with 
His Holiness and giving remarks before Minnesota's large and strong 
community of Tibetan refugees. The remarks below were delivered at that 
event and I ask that they be included in the Record:


Remarks by Congresswoman Betty McCollum--Community Public Talk with the 
Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota Honoring His Holiness the 14th 
       Dalai Lama of Tibet, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 24, 2017

       Good morning! I am so pleased to be here with Minnesota's 
     strong and thriving Tibetan community.
       I wish to thank the Tibetan American Foundation of 
     Minnesota for inviting me to join you this morning.
       Only one month ago--in May--I was in Dharamsala, India as 
     part of an official congressional delegation led by the 
     Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In Dharamsala my colleagues 
     and I were humbled to be received very warmly and graciously 
     by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We had a very special visit 
     with His Holiness.
       Today, it is our honor to welcome His Holiness to Minnesota 
     and his presence is a blessing and inspiration for all of us.
       Please accept my offer of strong support for Tibetans in 
     Minnesota and across the U.S., for the Tibetan community in 
     India and Nepal, and all Tibetans living in exile.
       The refugee experience, being forced from ones homeland, 
     fleeing violence and persecution, is a journey of loss, pain, 
     and suffering. You never forget home, but now you have a 
     second home and together we must make this home in America 
     one of safety, hope, and opportunity.
       We want this home to be welcoming for your families and a 
     place where you have the freedom to maintain your culture, 
     practice your beliefs, and sustain your rich traditions as 
     Tibetans. I know firsthand the important contributions 
     Tibetan-Americans are making here in Minnesota and I am 
     grateful. Your community makes Minnesota a stronger, better 
     state.
       In 2015, I was in Tibet, your homeland. I experienced the 
     mountains, the thin air in my lungs, and the warmth of the 
     Tibetan people I met. But, there was also the heavy burden of 
     a land that is not free. The people of Tibet are not free.
       Today, let us focus our minds, our hearts, our prayers, 
     and, as free people, let us work to make the people of Tibet 
     free. It is long past time for China's repression in Tibet to 
     end. The human rights abuses must stop. The prisoners of 
     conscience must be set free. The destruction of Tibetan 
     culture and the repression of Buddhist monks and scholars 
     must stop.
       With great sadness, I must tell you that two weeks ago I 
     received a letter from China's Counsel General in Chicago 
     asking me to refrain from ``any contact with the Dalai Lama 
     in any form.'' The letter called today's gathering a platform 
     for a separatist plot.
       There is no plot, only a path of peace and dialogue. Let us 
     follow His Holiness on that path, a path to separate the 
     Tibetan people from political repression, a path to separate 
     Tibet from endless acts of cultural destruction, and a path 
     to separate the political and religious prisoners from their 
     cells and their suffering.
       As a Member of Congress, I urge the Congress and the 
     President of the United States to stand with the people of 
     Tibet to promote human rights, religious freedom, and a 
     meaningful political dialogue.
       China is a powerful country. But, the United States is a 
     free and powerful country. The United States must never 
     abandon our commitment to freedom, justice, and human rights 
     around the world. And, we must never abandon the people of 
     Tibet.
       I will work in Congress to continue U.S. funding for all 
     Tibetan programs, scholarships, and assistance for refugees. 
     And, I will work to pass H.R. 1872--the ``Reciprocal Access 
     to Tibet Act of 2017.''
       Let me also urge President Trump to meet directly with His 
     Holiness the Dalai Lama and listen to his wise and 
     compassionate insights. Mr. Trump needs to hear why ongoing 
     U.S. support for Tibet is vital.
       The teachings of His Holiness are not only wise, they are 
     in the best interest of the United States and of all of 
     mankind. Let us love our planet and work to stop climate 
     change. Let us welcome refugees and all who flee violence and 
     suffering whether Buddhist, Christian or Muslim. Let us open 
     our hearts to the poor and the vulnerable--in our own 
     communities and around the world.
       Minnesota is blessed by our Tibetan brothers and sisters. 
     And, today we are blessed by the presence of His Holiness and 
     his teachings.
       May peace be upon us all and may we follow its path 
     together.
       Thank you.

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