[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 359 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
September 10, 2003.
Whereas for over 40 years in exile, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has
used his position and leadership to promote compassion and non-violence
as a solution to not only the present crisis in Tibet, but to other
long-running conflicts around the world;
Whereas the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition
of his efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the situation in Tibet,
and to promote nonviolent methods for resolving conflict;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has been a strong voice for the basic human rights of all
peoples, particularly freedom of religion;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has personally promoted democratic self-government for
Tibetans in exile as a model for securing freedom for all Tibet,
including relinquishing his political positions and turning these
authorities over to elected Tibetan representatives;
Whereas the Dalai Lama seeks a solution for Tibet that provides genuine autonomy
for the Tibetan people and does not call for independence and separation
from the People's Republic of China;
Whereas the envoys of the Dalai Lama have traveled to China and Tibet twice in
the past year to begin discussions with Chinese authorities on a
permanent negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue;
Whereas the successful advancement of these discussions is in the strong
interest of both the Chinese and Tibetan people; and
Whereas it is the policy of the United States to support substantive dialogue
between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai
Lama or his representatives: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
(1) the visit of the Dalai Lama to the United States in September
2003 is warmly welcomed;
(2) the Dalai Lama should be recognized and congratulated for his
consistent efforts to promote dialogue to peacefully resolve the Tibet
issue and to increase the religious and cultural autonomy of the Tibetan
people; and
(3) all parties to the current discussions should be encouraged by
the Government of the United States to deepen these contacts in order to
achieve the aspirations of the people of Tibet for genuine autonomy and
basic human rights.
Attest:
Clerk.