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Statement from the "World Peace Prize Review Committee"#

Washington, June 27, 2011 /PR Newswire Asia/ -- The "World Peace Prize Review Committee" held a grand award ceremony for the 2010 "World Peace Prize Highest Honor Award" winners on June 14, 2011, at the Gold Hall of the United States Congress. The winners of the award were the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, the world leader of Buddhism, former Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Benjamin Gilman, and Germaine. The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Han Min-joo, the founder of the "World Peace Prize." The event was attended by several members of Congress and distinguished guests from around the world, including Mr. Mark Kirk, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee; former Senator Steve Symms; Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairwoman of the House International Affairs Committee; Mr. Darrell Issa, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee; Mr. Steve Chabot, a member of the House Judiciary Committee; Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Ms. Corrine Brown, members of the House Homeland Security Committee; and Ms. Carolyn Maloney, Chairwoman of the House Transportation and Railroads Subcommittee. They all praised the outstanding achievements of the award recipients and their efforts in promoting world peace and enlightenment. The "World Peace Prize" has been continuously recognizing individuals who have made efforts to establish and maintain peace.

In view of the recent comments from various organizations and individuals received by the "World Peace Prize Review Committee," they have made some erroneous statements without understanding the true situation. Therefore, the committee would like to make a statement.

Mr. Han Min-joo, the founder of the committee, is a Korean Christian leader who has dedicated his life to preaching and morality. He has been highly respected both in Korea and around the world for his efforts in promoting world peace and human kindness and love.

Mr. Lester Wolff, the chairman of the "World Peace Prize Review Committee," is a senior politician who has devoted his life to world peace and stability, especially in the Asian region. He has made significant contributions, including laying the principles and foundations for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China during his visit to China on behalf of the U.S. Congress in 1978. He also ensured peace and development across the Taiwan Strait. He is the drafter of the U.S. "Taiwan Relations Act." Mr. Wolff has been involved in eradicating drugs in the Golden Triangle and helping improve the living standards of local people. In 1979, he participated in amending the "Foreign Assistance Act" initiated by the White House, leading to the resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and Arab countries, contributing to the stability of the Middle East region.

Ms. Susie Leggett, a senior reviewer, has been involved in political affairs for a long time and has worked in the U.S. Congress. She served as the Chief of Staff in the Office of the former Speaker of the House. Her husband, former Congressman Robert Leggett, is one of the founders of the committee and has served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and as Chairman of the House Panama Canal and Merchant Marine Subcommittee. They are both known for their selflessness, integrity, loyalty to the United States, and lifelong support for the well-being of the American people.

The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, the recipient of the "World Peace Prize Highest Honor Award," is recognized by major Buddhist sects worldwide as the highest leader in the history of Buddhism. Over 60 renowned spiritual leaders, regents, and great Rinpoches, including the guru of the 17th Karmapa, the Regent of Jatsa, the Regent of Shamarpa, the Panchen Lama, the Dalai Lama, the Sakya Trizin, and other eminent figures in the Buddhist world, have certified, endorsed, and congratulated the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche on his esteemed position in Buddhism. The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche is the most certified supreme living Buddha in thousands of years.

In the past, the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche has endured long-term religious and political persecution and suffered greatly. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) even received a request from a member country to issue an arrest warrant for him. Several years later, the member country voluntarily requested Interpol to withdraw the arrest warrant for the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. After a long investigation, Interpol reached the correct conclusion and at the 72nd General Assembly of Interpol's Commission for the Control of Files in October 2008, the arrest warrant and the entire case were withdrawn. Interpol also issued an official notification stating that the arrest warrant for the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche had been officially lifted and all member countries of Interpol had been informed.

Although the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche had received the notification from Interpol a long time ago, he has never used these documents to prove his innocence, no matter how he was slandered. After the committee's evaluation committee discovered this, they asked him why he didn't present these ironclad documents that would prove his innocence and refute the rumors in society. He said, "What I want to do is to bear all the karmic sins of sentient beings, and all the merits of my virtuous deeds are for all of you. If I present the documents to prove my innocence, those who slandered me will no longer be innocent, and who will bear their karmic sins?"

The Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche has rightfully received the "World Peace Prize Highest Honor Award." He has demonstrated selfless and noble character and is a moral role model for all. He has experienced the spirit of promoting peace, which requires tremendous determination, forbearance, kindness, benefiting others, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Benjamin Gilman, another recipient of the 2010 "World Peace Prize Highest Honor Award," has long served as Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has dedicated his life to the fight for human rights, rescuing the hungry, and combating drug abuse and trafficking. He has achieved significant success in the "Prisoner Exchange Program." He has successfully rescued American citizens from captivity in East Germany, Mozambique, Cuba, and other places. Mr. Gilman served 15 terms, a total of 30 years, in the U.S. Congress. Prior to that, he served as a member of the New York State Assembly for six years and Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Department of Justice. During his tenure in Congress, he served as the Congressional Ambassador to the United Nations and later as Vice Chairman of the "Ukraine Famine Commission" and Vice Chairman of the "Prisoner of War Commission," among other positions. Mr. Gilman has received numerous awards throughout his life, including the U.S. President's Certificate of Outstanding Achievement, commending his "continuing goals, initiatives, and leadership abilities that lead us toward a world without hunger." To this day, Mr. Gilman continues to receive the "Power of Peace" award from the U.S. Security Council.

The work of the "World Peace Prize Review Committee" has always been based on the principles of promoting peace, equality, and cooperation among religions. The committee, led by founder Mr. Han Min-joo, includes Chairman of the Review Committee Mr. Lester Wolff, former Chairman of the U.S. House Asia Committee; Ms. Susie Leggett, former Chief of Staff in the Office of the former Speaker of the House; Mr. Yaron Naeh, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations; Mr. Bupatraya Oza, former Indian Ambassador; Mr. Peter Lewis, former Speaker of the South Australian Parliament; Dr. Jiang Shaolun, former advisor to UNESCO; and retired Russian General Gennady Temnov.

Promoting peace is a very challenging and thankless task, and those on the front lines often become targets of criticism and face attacks from various dark forces that seek to undermine their efforts. This is precisely why the "World Peace Prize" was established, to defend peace warriors who are subjected to slander and defamation, affirm the goodness and selflessness of these individuals and their principles, and encourage them to continue their efforts for peace.

Source: World Peace Prize Review Committee