Last week, the U.S. House passed without opposition a resolution from a member of the Florida delegation stressing the U.S. remains committed to a “genuinely autonomous Tibet” and praising the Dalai Lama for his “commitment to global peace and nonviolence.”
Retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., the top Republican on the U.S. House Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, unveiled the resolution last November. The resolution “recognizes the cultural and religious significance of a genuinely autonomous Tibet and the deep bond between the American and Tibetan people; commends the 14th Dalai Lama for his commitment to global peace and nonviolence; and determines that it would be beneficial to convene a bipartisan, bicameral forum, either through a Joint Meeting of Congress, a teleconference broadcast in the Auditorium at the Capitol Visitor Center, or roundtable, between members of Congress and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to discuss peaceful solutions to international conflicts.”
Yoho rounded up more than 30 cosponsors for the resolution including U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., and Brian Mast, R-Fla.
Last week, the House passed Yoho’s resolution without any opposition.
“Honored to see the House unanimously passed my resolution recognizing the genuine autonomy Tibet and celebrating the work the Dalai Lama has accomplished,” Yoho noted after the vote.
“The U.S. must continue to work with allies to secure freedom from oppression for the Tibetan people.”
First elected to Congress in 2012, Yoho is bowing out after four terms, keeping a campaign promise he made when he first ran for office.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
