Take Action: Urge Your Senator to Meet the Dalai Lama!

On October 7th, the Dalai Lama will meet with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. If one of your senators sits on this committee, please send the letter below urging him/her to attend this important meeting. Click here to view the committee members.

In a break with tradition, President Obama will not meet with the Dalai Lama during his visit to Washington. He is expected to meet with the Dalai Lama only after he returns from a summit in Beijing in November. Therefore, it is critical that the Obama administration hears strong messages of support for Tibet before President Obama's visit to China.

Please take action now - personalize and send the letter below. (Note: Your message will be faxed to your senator only and will be copied to President Obama.)

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please meet with the Dalai Lama.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On Wednesday, October 7th, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to meet with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. I ask that you attend this meeting to discuss how the United States can help broker a peaceful resolution for Tibet.

For decades, the U.S. Congress has advanced policy and programs to help preserve Tibet's unique culture and protect the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations also has a long tradition of hosting the Dalai Lama.

In a break with two decades of tradition, President Obama will not meet with the Dalai Lama during his visit to Washington, D.C. The President is only expected to meet with the Dalai Lama after he meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao at a summit in Beijing in November.

President Obama recently sent his Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and Under Secretary of State Maria Otero to India to meet with the Dalai Lama. Ms. Jarrett stated the President's commitment to support the Tibetan people, but offered no specific details on the administration's new approach to Tibet.

The Dalai Lama's visit to Capitol Hill comes at a critical time. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations can play an important role in ensuring that President Obama uses the summit in Beijing as an opportunity to make real progress towards a just and lasting resolution for the Tibetan people.

As your constituent, I ask that you take this opportunity to meet with the Dalai Lama. I also ask that you request more information about the Obama administration's new Tibet strategy.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 05, 2009


Background Information

Last month, a high-level delegation sent by President Obama met with the Dalai Lama at his home in Dharamsala, India to discuss the Obama administration's strategy on Tibet and how the President can assist in pushing for a resolution on the issue during his first official visit to China in November.

While the visit was a clear and strong signal of support for Tibet from the White House, it was followed by an announcement that President Obama would not be meeting with the Dalai Lama during his visit this week to Washington, D.C. Instead, President Obama is expected to meet with the Dalai Lama after he returns from his first presidential visit to China in November. In light of these developments, it is critical that this administration hears strong messages of support for Tibet from the American people and the U.S. Congress.

Please send a letter to your senator asking him/her to attend the Dalai Lama's upcoming meeting with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. You can also call your senator's office to ensure his/her staff are aware of your request. Click here for contact information.