Dear Friends of the Dharma,

On May 25, 2006, the United States Senate passed an extraordinary resolution (S 2784) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for exceptional service. The medal has been awarded to individuals and groups from all walks of life, including to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Pope John Paul II, the Navajo Code Talkers, Rosa Parks, Frank Sinatra, and Elie Wiesel.

The Senate Resolution, introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Craig Thomas (R-WY), was passed with unanimous consent. Now a similar bill (H.R. 4562) is before the House of Representatives being initiated by Congresswoman Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. For the United States Congress to bestow this honor to His Holiness, at least two-thirds of House members (290 members) must cosponsor the legislation in the House of Representatives.

I am therefore writing to request you to encourage your members to contact their representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 4562. Attached here is a flyer detailing the names of Representatives from Georgia who have yet to become co-sponsors. Members of Congress attach much value to communications received from their constituents.

Currently we have around 130 co-sponsors. Congress adjourns for its long summer recess in August and only briefly returns in the fall. There is not a lot of time to get all 290 Members as cosponsors. Your members can log on to our website www.savetibet.org and send the emails to their Representatives (our system will automatically match your address to your Representative). Given the process under which this resolution will be passed, I would appreciate your having your members let us know of any response or lack of response from their Representatives. We can then follow up with their offices here.

Please let me know if you need any additional materials.

Sincerely yours,
Bhuchung Tsering
GyutoCenter@aol.com