By Lori Whitmore
The Wisconsin State Legislature added its voice today to the Americans speaking out against the repression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese Government. Assembly Joint Resolution 112, which declares March 10, 2010, Tibet Day, passed both the Assembly and Senate on Thursday. “This resolution honors the memory of Tibetans who have died in their struggle for a free Tibet”, said Representative Joe Parisi who authored the Joint Resolution.
The State Assembly invited the Saturday Tibetan Language and Culture School Children to offer the Wisdom Buddha recitation at the start of the Assembly session. They also sang the Tibetan National Anthem and the American National Anthem.
Assembly Joint Resolution 112 recognizes March 10, 2010 as the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan National uprising against the Chinese occupation of the country of Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced to flee for his safety and has remained in exile since that time.
The Dalai Lama has continued to champion the rights and self-determination of Tibetans despite the refusal of the Chinese Government to recognize the Dalia Lama as the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. Tibet has maintained a distinct cultural identity, language and religion for more than 2000 years.
“Human rights and freedom for Tibetans should be the concern of all freedom-loving people in Wisconsin and in this country”, said Parisi. “In adopting this resolution, we are bringing awareness of the Tibetan fight to secure a mutually acceptable solution between the Tibetans and the Chinese. This solution must provide a life of freedom, peace and dignity for Tibetans”.
Tibetans around the world will gather on March 10th with the hope that the Chinese government will agree to meet with the Dalai Lama. “This day is a solemn reminder of one of the darkest moments in Tibet history as a result of widespread oppression and brutality by the Chinese Government”, said Parisi. “It is fitting that we recognize the Tibetan Community on March 10th and plead for justice on this anniversary”.
