[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 212 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 212
Welcoming His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and recognizing his
commitment to non-violence, human rights, freedom, and democracy.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31 (legislative day, July 21), 2003
Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Smith of New Hamsphire,
Mr. Warner, Mr. Allen, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Specter)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations
September 8, 2003
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Welcoming His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and recognizing his
commitment to non-violence, human rights, freedom, and democracy.
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 Senate 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.
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