WELCOMING HIS HOLINESS THE XIV DALAI LAMA OF TIBET
WHEREAS, It is an esteemed privilege and high honor to once again welcome Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet, an internationally revered spiritual and political leader, author and teacher, for his fifth visit to the City ofChicago; and
WHEREAS, In the first of two noteworthy venues on Sunday, July 17, His Holiness presents a public talk at University of Illinois Chicago Pavilion titled "Bridging the Faith Divide" based on his recent book "Toward a True Kinship of Faiths" and hosted by the Theosophical Society in America, an organization that promotes religion, philosophy, science, and the arts in order to understand, respect, and explore spiritual self-transformation. Ani Choying, a Buddhist nun, as well as representatives of various faiths from the Chicago area and the children of the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago will also be performing; and
WHEREAS, At the second event taking place on Monday morning, July 18, in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, His Holiness joins Rabbi Michael Lerner, founding editor ofthe progressive Jewish interfaith magazine, Tikkun, dedicated to building bridges between religious and secular organizations, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, former president of the Islamic Society of North America and Rev. Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches, in a panel discussion titled "Building Bridges: Religious Leaders in Conversation with the Dalai Lama" moderated by Eboo Patel, the founder and executive director ofthe Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit that aims to promote interfaith cooperation; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness humbly describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". However, he is also internationally recognized for his lifelong advocacy of peace even as his country of Tibet faces an aggressive invasion from Communist China. In addition to his Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama has garnered the honors of many nations and organizations including being awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal of Honor "in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and religious understanding"; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of the significant distinction bestowed upon this city by the return visit of the Dalai Lama; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 28th day of July, 2011, A.D., do hereby extend our warmest welcome to His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet and wish him every success in his continuing world-wide mission of peace, harmony, religious understanding and tolerance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet.