Minnesota: Several political leaders in the United States on Sunday joined the Tibetan Spiritual Leader the Dalai Lama in Minnesota, wishing him “a very happy Tibetan new year.”
Welcoming the Tibetan spiritual leader to Minnesota, U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison and Congreesswoman Betty McCollum wished the Dalai Lama a “very happy Tibetan new year.
“Thank you, thank you so much for allowing us to come and join with you on your new year celebration. I would like to thank His Holiness the Dalai Lama for bravely coming to Minnesota in this coldest and snowest season. It’s great honor to have you to celebrate the first Losar (Tibetan new year) outside of India here in Minnesota,” said the U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison.
“I am proud to represent the Tibetan Americans in the United States Congress along with Mr. (Keith) Ellison to work to advance the issues that has been so important to you. Recently His Holiness was in Washington D.C. I was so proud and happy that President Obama and His Holiness had the opportunity to meet,” said the U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum, addressing a gathering of around 3000 Tibetan Americans at the Tibetan new year celebration.
“We have much to learn from your wisdom and teaching,” said the U.S. Congresswoman.
According to the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, the U.S. Congresswoman is one of the “most reliable friends of Tibet, and was one of the co-sponsors of the Tibet Policy Act” which calls on the Chinese government to end its crackdown in Tibet, and enter into a substative dialogue with the Tibetan spiritual leader to find a negotiable solution.
The newly elected Mayor of Minneapolis, Betsy Hodges officially declared the Tibetan new year day (March 2, 2014) as His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s day of peace and compassion.
“City of Minneapolis recognizes s His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama as a true champion of world peace , inter religious harmony, and beacon of love and compassion,” said Betsy Hodges “And human rights in Tibet must be of a concern for all justice loving people who must call on the government of China to end its crackdown and enter into a substative dialogue with H.H. the Dalaia Lama to find a negotiated solution.”
The Dalai Lama who is currently on a three-week visit to the United States arrived in Minnesota last Friday for a series of events, including an interaction session with a group of Chinese and Tibetan students on Saturday. The Tibetan spiritual leader also gave a keynote speech at the 26th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum anniversary yesterday in the same city.
Photo Courtesy: Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM)
Tendar Tsering is a freelance journalist based in Minnesota, U.S.A. Previously he worked with ibtimes.com, hngn.com, pagalguy.com, phayul.com and he also regularly blogs at www.tibettelegraph.com
