San Francisco, October 24: Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters of Tibet gathered at Golden Gate Fields – a horse race track clubhouse across San Francisco Bay’s Golden Gate Bridge on October 20 to celebrate the recent awarding of America’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Ceremony began with official enthronement of the portrait of His Holiness, followed by the chanting of prayer composed by the Dalai Lama, entitled “Words of Truth” by monks from Gyuto Vajrayana Buddhist Center, San Jose. This was followed by the lighting of the “Lamp of Peace and Freedom” by the event’s chief guest of honor, former Mayor of the City of Berkeley, Shirley Dean. After singing the United States and the Tibetan National Anthems, guest were shown a brief video of US President George Bush presenting the Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which was followed by a recital of the Congressional Findings from the Congressional Gold Medal Act of Congress that authorized the honour to the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) President Ngodup Tsering welcomed the guests and spoke about the significance of the award and thanked the supporters of Tibet and the crowd of more than 500 who had participated in the celebration organized by the association. Later the Tibetan and Mongolian performers enthralled the crowd with their artistry.
Margery Farrar, Special Human Rights Assistant to Congressman Tom Lantos came to the stage for the recognition of Congressman Tom Lantos’s co-sponsorship of the Congressional bill that awarded the prestigious honor on His Holiness. Then, Lantos’s speech given during Wednesday’s award presentation was read out to the audience.
City of Berkeley Council Member Mr. Kriss Worthington a strong supporter of Tibet addressed the audience. Ms. Shirley Dean, former Mayor of Berkeley and the chief guest of honor of the event praised the decision to award the Dalai Lama and concurred with Ngodup Tsering’s earlier call for a community center for Northern California Tibetans to preserve their unique culture and traditions.
The Official ceremony concluded with vote of thanks by TANC General Secretary, Tsering Gyurmey. Then the celebrations moved on to an “all-you-can-eat” professionally catered dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and delicious deserts. More songs and dances and, Tibetan circular dance (Gorshey) and disco concluded the joyous celebration.
Report filed by Tsering gyurmey from Northern California.
For more information and pictures of the celebration, visit: www.tanc.org
