David Thomas: “I am today joined by the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Senator Helms, the equally…”

“I am today joined by the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Senator Helms, the equally distinguished ranking minority member Senator Pell, and Senators Mack and D'Amato to introduce a resolution welcoming the visit to the United States this week and next of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The story of the 14th Dalai Lama is one with which I believe we are all familiar. Exiled from his homeland along with over 100,000 of his fellow Tibetan citizens, repeatedly frustrated and rebuffed in his sincere efforts to resolve their differences with the Chinese Government, His Holiness has never wavered in his determination to bring freedom and the full panoply of human rights to his people. His commitment to nonviolence in pursuit of the goal, even in the face of consistent provocations, has never faltered and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. For 45 years since the forcible invasion and occupation of their country by the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Tibetans have been subjected to systematic abuses and human rights violations.”