World Peace Prize Award Ceremony Held in the United States 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 United States Congress on June 14th. The recipients of the "Highest Honor Award" were the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Benjamin Gilman, who accepted this honor. The United States Civil Air Patrol also received the "Tour Ambassador Award". Guests in attendance that day 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, recipients of the World Peace Prize have been actively involved in mediating political disputes and international 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, first President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat of Mongolia, first President Syngman Rhee of South Korea, former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel, former President Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, and Prime Minister of Cambodia, among others.
The World Peace Prize celebration has always been held in the hometown of the laureates, and this is the first time it is being 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 dedicated to bringing people from different backgrounds together to work 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, and his wisdom and compassion that 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, practices, art, and poetry, has shown humanity a path of non-violence, charity, and love. He 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 United States Congress and served a total of 15 terms, with 30 years of service in Congress. Prior to that, he was a member of the New York State Assembly and also served as Assistant District Attorney in New York. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Congressional Ambassador to the United Nations; later, he also 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 Distinguished Achievement Certificate, commending him for "actively leading and making sustained efforts to achieve a world without hunger with foresight and insight". He continues to receive the "Strength in Practice Peace" award from the United States Security Committee every year.
Tour Ambassador Award
The "Tour Ambassador Award" is given to individuals or groups who have made efforts in defending peace. The Civil Air Patrol, a part of the United States Air Force, received this award yesterday.
Civil Air Patrol
The Civil Air Patrol has made significant contributions in various communities in the United States, saving countless lives and making great efforts to defend freedom. The Civil Air Patrol is a non-profit organization affiliated with the United States Air Force, with over 60,000 members nationwide. It is dispatched by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and conducts 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 to the world through satellites within seconds 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 been serving the United States for 69 years.
(Editor: Newshoo)