We know that this is a time of great intensity and purpose for the Tibetan people. Last fall marked the beginning of an ongoing wave of self-immolation protests by Tibetans inside Tibet calling for independence and the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The total has now reached 33. You have totally devoted yourself to morally and politically supporting this movement.
A former Tibetan refugee from India now studying here, you were an organizer of the University of Minnesota Chapter of Students for a Free Tibet and have played a major role in the Minnesota chapter and in larger regional organizations. In that capacity you have organized prayer sessions, marched in protest rallies, spoken at demonstrations, held candle-light vigils, organized a campus lecture series featuring prominent Tibetan activists, published columns in the Minnesota Daily, and organized Tibetan documentary film screenings. Using a grant from the Political Science Department, you lobbied members of Congress in Washington and helped accomplish the passage of Senate Resolution 356, which calls on the Chinese government to address the grievances of the Tibetan people and to allow free access to journalists and diplomats. We understand you are currently working to lobby the Minnesota legislature and also to bring Ngawang Sangdrol, the longest serving Tibetan political prisoner, to the University to share her story about Tibet and SFT’s role in her release.
In addition to political activism on behalf of Tibet, you have worked to establish a dialogue with Chinese students, to promote greater diversity at the University, and mentor and tutor adolescent Tibetans. You plan to start law school at the University next fall to study international human rights law and pursue your work.
You are demonstrating exactly the kind of spirit that motivated Sullivan Ballou—your heart has told you to take action about an intolerable situation, and you have followed that guidance without consideration of personal comfort, convenience, or reward. And it is only with that kind of devotion to your heart’s message that you have been able to work so tirelessly and effectively in this cause. The entire purpose of our modest foundation is to recognize you and others like you as inspiring models of the effectiveness of acting from the heart. Thank you for that inspiration you have given us.
Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members