Calling For Substantive Dialogue To Address Tibetan Grievances And Secure Negotiated Agreement For Tibetan People

Floor Speech

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Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I commend him for being a champion on human rights throughout the world.

I am pleased to associate myself with the remarks of Chairman Smith, and I thank him for his courageous, long-term dedication to human rights throughout the world and the recognition that what is happening in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of our country and to the world.

I thank him for enumerating some of the concerns that we have, and I know that our distinguished ranking member will talk about some of what is contained in the resolution. I thank them both for their leadership.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution and in celebration of the 80th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose spiritual wisdom and friendship have been inspiring and uplifting to many Tibetans, Americans, and people throughout the world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a transcendent presence on the international stage. As a compassionate religious leader, astute diplomat, and an undaunted believer in the power of nonviolence, the Dalai Lama has earned the respect of people from many nations, many backgrounds, and many faith traditions.

American Presidents and the American people have been inspired by His Holiness, who describes himself as a simple monk, ``no more, no less.'' Those American Presidents began with Franklin Roosevelt, who sent His Holiness the Dalai Lama a watch with the phases of the Moon on it for his birthday when he was a little boy.

How prescient it was of President Roosevelt because His Holiness would not only be a religious figure, but one who related so positively to science and its mysteries.

To Tibetan Buddhists, His Holiness is the earthly manifestation of the living Buddha. To them and the international community, he is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. To millions of believers and admirers, he is a source of wisdom and compassion. To young people, His Holiness is a positive example of how to make the world a better place.

As our colleague mentioned, the Chinese Government has refused to meet with him. They are afraid to meet with him; they consider him a threat, and that is so unnecessary. They accuse him of being for independence when he has said for decades now that he is for autonomy for Tibet.

The Chinese Government has brutally repressed Tibet's unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage. The Chinese Government's oppression of the Tibetan people and the Chinese Communist Party's vitriolic campaign against the Dalai Lama continues, which, again, challenges us all to speak out.

Again, the situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. If freedom-loving people do not speak out against oppression in Tibet, then we have lost all moral authority to speak out on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world.

If it is a big country with whom we have big commercial interests, like China, it deters us from using our voices in support of human rights. How then can we turn to smaller, less economically significant countries and say, ``But for you, the standard is different''?

The Congress must continue to stand with the Tibetan people and stand with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to ensure that Tibetan children are free to learn their language, practice their faith, and honor their culture as they live in peace.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable achievements of His Holiness is his profound and unbreakable connection with the people of Tibet. He has won the Nobel Peace Prize, as was indicated; and we honored him with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. At that time, it was an honor for all of us that President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush attended that gold medal ceremony.

An 80th birthday is a significant milestone in any culture, none more so than in Tibet. This is a moment to celebrate; yet on his birthday, July 6, Tibetans were still not even allowed to utter the Dalai Lama's name.

In the Dalai Lama's homeland, more than 140 Tibetans have self-immolated to protest oppression by the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party's vitriolic campaign against the exiled Tibetan religious; yet the people of Tibet persevere. They persevere in peace. The nonviolent nature of the Tibetan struggle should serve as an inspiration to a world riven by conflict and devastating acts of violence.

During his long life, the Dalai Lama has shown that harmony between peoples is based on freedom of expression, the freedom and courage to speak the truth and treat others with mutual respect and dignity.

I just recall one incident when I was visiting His Holiness in India at Dharamsala. He had lamas come from all over to visit with our bipartisan congressional delegation who were visiting him there.

After people got up and talked about all the oppression and the campaign against the Tibetans that was happening at that time, I got up to speak following that, and I said that we, in Congress, must act; we must act in terms of legislation to support the people of Tibet.

I said so in a very forceful way because it was so sad to hear the stories of what was happening in Tibet, and I was so strong in my reaction to it. His Holiness followed me in the program, and he said: ``I pray that we can rid Nancy of her negative attitudes.''

Anyway, there is no better way to honor the Dalai Lama on his 80th birthday than by standing with him and the Tibetan people, vowing to keep their cause alive.

As we wish His Holiness a peaceful and joyous birthday, we must rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace in the world and peace in our lives.

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