Events 2007

President George W. Bush presents the Congressional Gold Medal to The Dalai Lama at a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007

President Bush Attends Dalai Lama’s Congressional Gold Medal of Honor Ceremonies

October 17, 2007 

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, was honored on Wednesday, October 17 with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest US civilian honor. Previous recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal  include  Mother Teresa, former South African President Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. 

The Dalai Lama met with President Bush at the White House residence on Tuesday, October 16. A White House spokesman said: "We have a very strong relationship with China and that will be maintained. The US supports the Dalai Lama as a great spiritual leader and he should be honored as a spiritual leader. The President believes that people all over the world should be able to express their religion and practice their religion in freedom."

To read the complete speech, please click here.