By Sherab Lhatsang
Madison WI March 2 – The Joint Resolution was introduced by State Representative Joe Parisi, Representative Black, Representative Pocan, Representative Bies, Representative Berceau, Representative Pope Roberts, Representative Seidel and Representative Sherman, Cosponsored by State Senator Lehman and Senator Miller.
On March 1st, 2007 the Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Joint Resolution 22 (AJR 22), which honors the memory of more then one million Tibetans who have died in their struggle for the Independence of Tibet. And declares March 10th as Tibet Day in Wisconsin.
Representative Joe Parisi stood on the floor of the State Assembly and praised the Tibetan people. “We are fortunate in Wisconsin to have a connection to the H.H. the Dalai Lama and the Wisconsin Tibetan Association. We have even had the H.H address this body many years ago. This year H.H. the Dalai Lama will be given a Congressional Medal of Honor for trying to find a non violent solution for Tibet. It is his commitment to find a non violent resolution that has kept this cause alive for so many years. On March 10, 2007, we commemorate Tibetan Uprising Day. It is the forty-eighth anniversary next week of Tibet being invaded by communist China. It was during this invasion that the Dalai Lama fled to India where he currently resides. Since then at least 130,000 Tibetans have fled the country and 2,000-3,000 Tibetans flee the country annually. Tens of thousands Tibetans have been killed, tortured, and imprisoned by the Chinese government. With today’s resolution we remember the invasion and bring attention to the situation in Tibet today.”
Rep. Parisi went on to say, “I dedicate today’s resolution to 17 year old Kelsang Namtso a Tibetan Nun who on September 30, 2006 was shot dead by Chinese soldiers as she and friends attempted to flee the country. Eye witnesses said they saw the Chinese military kneel down and take aim at the Tibetan citizens some of whom were as young as seven years old. A nun walking behind Kalsang Namtso said when the shooting started I just knelt down and started to pray. When the bullet hit Kalsang Namtso she collapsed into the snow and said she had been hit and asked for help but it was too late, the seventeen year old nun was mortally wounded, shot dead by Chinese soldiers. Mr. Speaker, this is one of thousands of acts of brutality done by the Chinese government against the Tibetan people. Today we pause to honor the Tibetan people, pray for the end of violence, and for a peaceful resolution”
Representative Spencer Black rose to share his thoughts on the Tibetan people, “We in Wisconsin have been enriched by many waves of immigrants. One of the more recent immigrants groups has been the Tibetans, many of whom live in my district. They have added as many immigrant groups have a great deal to our state and communities. I want to call attention to the courageous fight that the Tibetan people , many of whom live in this country, live in other countries or still live in Chine have waged for freedom.”
Rep. Black concluded his remarks with, “Those of us that value freedom are inspired by the efforts of the Tibetan people to resist the injustices done to them over the past fifty years by the Chinese government. These proud people with long and storied heritages have been denied the ability to practice their religious traditions by the Government that has conquered their country. The fight they now wage is a peaceful non violent movement that has inspired the world. This resolution is part of the effort, I hope, will serve to bring freedom to the people of Tibet”
The Joint Resolution was then unanimously adopted the Assembly.
