Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was honored by U. S. lawmakers with a human rights award on Tuesday. But for the first time since 1991, the Dalai Lama will not meet with the sitting president of the United States.
The Dalai Lama received a warm reception and the first Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize from U.S. lawmakers. The medal, in memory of the late Congressman and longtime human rights activist, honored Tibet's exiled spiritual leader for his achievements.
Accepting the award, the Dalai Lama said he will continue to champion human rights. "Although now I am 74-years-old, the rest of my life I dedicate for the promotion of human values, emotional human affection, human compassion, equality and basic human rights in Tibet or in mainland China or everywhere," he said.
House of Representatives speaker Nancy Polosi praised the Dalai Lama's work in pressing China to improve its human rights record.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-06-voa45.cfm