Dharamshala, India — While world leaders and celebrities around the globe extended their warm birthday wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, top US politicians, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, State Department spokesperson Ned Price and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, also extended congratulations on his 86th birthday.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet and his thoughts and teachings inspire people all over the world. Despite the fact that countries like the United States are geographically opposite Tibet, the 86-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate has received birthday wishes from important political figures of the leader of the free world.
"I am honoured to join the Tibetan people and so many friends of Tibet to send warm birthday wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Trungkar is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate His Holiness and the message of hope and spiritual guidance he has shared with the world," said Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, on behalf of the American people.
"It is an opportunity for all peace-loving people to recommit to our mission of ensuring that the Tibetan people can practice their faith, speak their language and celebrate their culture freely, without interference or intimidation from Beijing," Speaker Pelosi added, encouraging Tibetans in Tibet, as well as Tibetans in exile, to seize this opportunity to freely practice their faith, language and culture by overcoming any obstacles that have prevented them from doing so.
She also pledged "the accountability of the U.S. Congress to China on a bipartisan and bicameral basis and support for the Tibetan community, emphasising that the Tibetan Policy and Support Act is now established as valid law." In support of the aspirations of the Tibetan people, "may our people and leaders continue to work together to advance the noble cause of peace," Nancy Pelosi said in her concluding remarks to show appreciation and respect for the ideas and aspirations of the Tibetan people.
"I am pleased to extend warm wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his birthday. He inspires us all to live each day with humility, compassion and understanding. Here's to many more years," said United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken while wishing the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate a happy birthday on his Twitter account. He mentioned that he, along with many others, is inspired by the values that the Tibetan leader stands for. Secretary Blinken wishes him a long life with many more years to come.
"Today we wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama a happy birthday, whose grace and compassion is an inspiration to us all. We commend his commitment to the global Tibetan community and all those around the world who share his important message of peace and kindness and his commitment to equality and, most importantly, human dignity," said US State Department spokesperson Ned Price, highlighting qualities such as peace, kindness, equality and human dignity and their growing importance in today's world. "We join all in wishing His Holiness many more years," Ned Price said at the end of his brief birthday wishes.
