Recognizing Significance of Genuine Autonomy of Tibet and Tibetan People

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 697, recognizing the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the vital work the Dalai Lama has done to promote peace around the world.

Over 60 years ago, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was forced into exile by the Chinese Communist Party's full-scale military takeover of Tibet. To this very day, the CCP uses propaganda, violence, and oppression to assert totalitarian control over Tibet and the Tibetan people. The CCP sees Tibet's cultural and religious heritage as a threat to its control. Just as they have done with Islam and Christianity, the CCP is trying to stamp out Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetans' way of life--even though Tibet is guaranteed autonomy under China's constitution.

Despite these challenges, the Dalai Lama has stood as a leader in the promotion of human rights and religious harmony and the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion. The Dalai Lama's contribution to peace and nonviolence has been revered by the international community, and for decades the U.S. Congress has remained committed to strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and the Tibetan people.

I would like to thank His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for his dedication to the Tibetan people.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, since 1959, the U.S. Congress, on a bicameral, bipartisan basis, has remained committed to strengthening the friendship between the U.S. and the Tibetan people.

There are over 31,000 individuals of Tibetan descent living in North America, and our people share similar values of freedom and understanding.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has dedicated himself to three principles: the promotion of human values, the promotion of religious harmony, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion.

I would like to thank the Dalai Lama for his vital contributions to the Tibetan people and the world.

As Mr. Perry said, the Communist Party knows they cannot survive with free thought, and that is what religion does for people around the world. They put a deity or a higher power above them, whereas, in China, the highest power that can be achieved is the Communist Party, and therefore it will not survive.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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