(9 Sep 2003)
1. Interior of Statuary Hall in the US Capitol
2. Dalai Lama and Caucus Chairman Congressman Frank Wolf
3. Photographers
4. Audience
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Congressman Tom Lantos, Congressional Human Rights Caucus:
"I want to take this occasion on behalf of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus to call on President Hu Jintao to meet with his holiness, The Dalai Lama. The time is long overdue to make peace and to recognise that within the framework of China, the Tibetan people should at long last be given their full right to practice their religion and to lead their own lives."
4. Dalai Lama introduced and walks to podium
5. Pan from audience to Dalai Lama at podium
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dalai Lama:
"On behalf of these people who suffer under human rights violations, I think I may, on behalf of these people, I may express my appreciation. And, certainly, on behalf of Tibetan and also some Chinese protestants who also suffer, on behalf of them, I would also like to express my appreciation. While I'm expressing appreciation, I also would like to request to you, please continue."
6. Audience and Dalai Lama
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dalai Lama:
"So, still please, do more. Thank you."
8. Dalai Lama leaves podium and shakes hands with Tom Lantos and Frank Wolf
STORYLINE:
The Dalai Lama urged the US Congress to continue supporting the cause of a free Tibet, and thanked House members in a ceremony on Tuesday for their push to improve China's treatment of Tibetans.
Addressing a crowd of dozens in the Capitol building's Statuary Hall, the exiled Tibetan Bhuddist leader asked members to please continue to help.
Republican Tom Lantos, co-founder of the Human Rights Caucus, said that the Tibetan people should at last be given "their full rights to practice their religion and to lead their own lives."
The Dalai Lama, the winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle against Chinese rule of his homeland, is in Washington this week as part of a US tour that began Saturday in San Francisco.
He planned to meet later on Tuesday with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, then Secretary of State Colin Powell.
A White House visit with President George W. Bush is scheduled on Wednesday.
The ceremony also marked the 20th anniversary of the caucus, which was sending a letter Tuesday to Chinese President Hu Jintao demanding more freedom and autonomy for Tibetans.
The Dalai Lama, who last visited the United States in May 2001, also plans to visit New York and Boston.
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