2009 LANTOS HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE RECIPIENT

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

 
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama became the inaugural Lantos Human Rights Prize laureate in October 2009. He was awarded the Lantos Prize for his lifetime of human rights work, advocating for global equality and freedom, as well as consistently promoting a message of interfaith dialogue. 

It was fitting that the Dalai Lama received the first-ever Prize named in Tom Lantos’ honor. In 1987, Tom Lantos became the first member of Congress to invite the Dalai Lama to speak at a meeting of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. They maintained a warm friendship for the remainder of Tom’s life, one grounded firmly in their shared commitment to human rights. 

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts to liberate Tibet without violence and his work to raise awareness for global environmental challenges, His Holiness is the recipient of more than 150 awards for his contributions to the human rights field. As the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, he has spent his life working to spread the values of peace, democracy and equality, and is the author or co-author of over 100 books.

The inaugural Lantos Prize ceremony, held in the Congressional Auditorium at the United States Capitol Visitors Center, brought together an overflowing audience of government leaders, foreign dignitaries, and human rights activists and idealists. Speakers included Senator John McCain, Congressman Howard Berman, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

 

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