On October 17, 2007, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress. The ceremony took place at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and the medal was presented by President George W. Bush in recognition of His Holiness’s enduring contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding.

This historic event marked a significant moment not only in the relationship between the United States and the Tibetan spiritual leader, but also in the global acknowledgment of the Dalai Lama’s lifelong commitment to promoting compassion, dialogue, and freedom through nonviolent means. Despite political pressures from the Chinese government, the ceremony was widely seen as a powerful affirmation of moral courage and the universal values the Dalai Lama embodies.

Additional Resources:

U.S. Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Acceptance Speech

Speech by President George Bush

Speech by Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Speech by Senator Dianne Feinstein

Speech by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell

Speech by Congressman Tom Lantos