World Peace Prize Award Ceremony Held in the US Congress#
June 17, 2011 12:14
Source: PR Newswire
Washington, 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." 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 between 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, international and economic affairs, and bringing security and stability to human society. The mission 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 of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, former President of Indonesia Wahid, former President of Egypt Mubarak, former President of Palau Nakamura, first President of Mongolia Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat, first President of South Korea Rhee Syng-man, former Prime Minister of Israel Rabin, former President of Nigeria Yakubu Gowon, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi, and Prime Minister of Cambodia.
The World Peace Prize celebration has always been held in the hometown of the recipients, 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 Jury unanimously recognized the extensive and selfless dedication of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche in the world. He has saved others with his wisdom and compassion, embracing 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 nonviolence, charity, and love. He has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Gold Medal, which praised his contributions to 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 Jury 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, serving 15 terms and a total of 30 years 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 Foreign Affairs Committee and Congressional Ambassador 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 Distinguished Achievement Certificate, which commended his "far-sighted leadership and proactive efforts to achieve a world without hunger." He continues to receive the "Strength Through Practice and Peace" award from the United States Security Committee.
Ambassadorial Award#
The "Ambassadorial 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 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 worldwide within seconds through satellites 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.
Source: World Peace Prize Awarding Council World Peace Prize Award Ceremony Held in the US Congress