World Peace Prize Award Ceremony Held in the US Congress#
Source: PR Newswire
June 17, 2011 11:41
Washington, D.C., June 17, 2011 /PR Newswire Asia/
The World Peace Prize award ceremony was held in the Gold Hall of the US Congress on June 14. The recipients of the "Highest Honor Award" were the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Benjamin Gilman, who accepted this honor. The Civil Air Patrol also received the "Ambassadorial Award." The guests in attendance included several current members of Congress and internationally renowned figures.
The World Peace Prize aims to promote world peace and advance understanding among different cultures, beliefs, ethnicities, and nations. The World Peace Prize is a prestigious award presented by the World Peace Mission. The World Peace Mission is an international evangelical missionary organization. Since its establishment in 1989, the recipients of the World Peace Prize have all made efforts to mediate political disputes and international and economic affairs, bringing security and stability to human society. The guiding principle of the World Peace Mission is to promote peace, uphold the spirit of equality, and advance cooperation among religions. Previous recipients include former US President Ronald Reagan, Mahatma Gandhi of India, former President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines, former President Wahid of Indonesia, former President Mubarak of Egypt, former President Kuniwo Nakamura of Palau, the first President of Mongolia Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat, the first President of South Korea Syngman Rhee, former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel, former President Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, among others.
The World Peace Prize celebration has always been held in the hometown of the recipients, and this is the first time it has been awarded in the capital of the United States.
Highest Honor Award
The "Highest Honor Award" of the World Peace Prize is presented to outstanding world leaders and peace pioneers who are committed to bringing people from different backgrounds together to strive for peace. The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Mr. Benjamin Gilman received this honor yesterday.
Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche
The World Peace Prize Evaluation Committee unanimously recognized the extensive and selfless dedication of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche in the world, saving others. His wisdom and compassion embrace all races, cultures, and religions, bringing kindness, peace, and equality to people. Wherever he goes, his humility and compassion unite people's hearts. His continuous contributions to human society truly embody the compassion of the Buddha and serve as a model for everyone to learn from. The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche is also an outstanding artist who, through his teachings, practice, art, and poetry, has shown humanity a nonviolent, charitable, and loving path. The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Gold Medal from the United States, which praised his contributions in art, medicine, ethics, leadership in Buddhist spirituality, and contributions to American society. The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche is the only Buddhist leader to have received the World Peace Prize in over 20 years.
Benjamin Gilman
The World Peace Prize Evaluation Committee recognized Benjamin Gilman's lifelong commitment to improving human rights and his involvement in the fight against world hunger, abuse, and trafficking of narcotics. He has facilitated "prisoner exchanges" multiple times, helping American citizens regain their freedom in East Germany, Mozambique, Cuba, and other countries. Gilman was a former member of the US Congress and served a total of 30 years in Congress, including 15 terms in the House of Representatives. Prior to that, he was a member of the New York State Assembly and also served as Assistant Attorney General of New York. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Ambassador-at-Large to the United Nations. He later participated in the "Ukraine Famine Commission" and became Vice Chairman of the "Prisoner of War Commission." Mr. Gilman has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Certificate of Outstanding Achievement, which praised his "far-sighted leadership and sustained efforts to achieve a world without hunger." He continues to receive the "Strength in Practice Peace" award from the United States Security Council every year.
Ambassadorial Award
The "Ambassadorial Award" is given to individuals or groups who have made efforts in defending peace. The Civil Air Patrol, a branch of the United States Air Force, received this award yesterday.
Civil Air Patrol
The Civil Air Patrol has made significant contributions in communities across the United States, saving countless lives and making great efforts to defend freedom. The Civil Air Patrol, a non-profit organization, has over 60,000 members nationwide and is dispatched by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center to conduct 90% of domestic search and rescue operations. According to records from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, the Civil Air Patrol saved the lives of 113 people in 2010. The Civil Air Patrol is often the first to arrive at disaster scenes, transmitting digital images around the world in seconds via satellite and providing disaster relief and emergency medical services. In recent years, they have participated in large-scale rescue operations, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Texas and Oklahoma wildfires, tornadoes in the Midwest and South, floods in North Dakota, and the 2006 Hawaii earthquake, as well as humanitarian missions on the US-Mexico border. The Civil Air Patrol has served in the United States for 69 years.
(Editor: Newshoo)