On the recordSeptember 10, 2003
It is always awkward for this Congress, or any body, to comment on the affairs of other societies; but the uniqueness of our foundation as a nation state was that we were the first country established on the principle of individual rights which were assumed to be universal, not simply particular to those living in the original 13 colonies. Thus we have an obligation to our forbears to speak to the universality of political values, rights endowed by a Creator to all citizens of this planet. It is in this context that we recognize the transcendent universality of the Dalai Lama's mantle of leadership values which track so consistently our heritage. I urge Members to support this resolution.
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