It is reported that the World Peace Prize is awarded by the World Peace Prize Selection Committee at a ceremony held in the U.S. House of Representatives. The recipients of the World Peace Prize for the year 2010 were His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III and former House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Benjamin Gilman, while the Peace Ambassador Award was given to the U.S. Civil Aviation Patrol Search and Rescue Organization. Many international television stations reported on this award ceremony. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III received the World Peace Prize, which was featured in special reports by the world's most authoritative newspaper, the World Journal, as well as the most authoritative newspapers in mainland China, the People's Daily, and in Taiwan, the Taiwan Daily.
According to a press release from Washington: "The World Peace Prize Selection Committee" held a grand award ceremony on June 14, 2011, in the Gold Room of the U.S. Congress, honoring the 2010 "World Peace Prize Lifetime Achievement Award" recipients: World Buddhist Leader His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III and former U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Benjamin Gilman. The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Han Min-soo, the founder of the World Peace Prize. Guests included several members of Congress and dignitaries from around the world. Among them were Mr. Mark Kirk, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee; former Congressman Steve Simms; Chairwoman of the House International Affairs Committee Ms. Kileen Lehtinen; Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Mr. Darrell Issa; Congressman Steve Chabot of the House Judiciary Committee; Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee of the House Homeland Security Committee; and Chairwoman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ms. Gwendolyn Brown, among others. They all praised the outstanding achievements of the awardees for their efforts in promoting world peace and education, which were well-deserved. The "World Peace Prize" has continuously recognized individuals who have made efforts to establish and maintain peace over the years.
The "World Peace Prize Selection Committee" has consistently adhered to the principles of promoting peace, equality, and inter-religious cooperation. The committee is led by founder Mr. Han Min-soo, and its members include the review chairman, former U.S. House Asian Affairs Committee Chairman Mr. Lester Wolf; former Chief of Staff of the U.S. House Speaker Ms. Susie Leggett; former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Mr. Dan Kahn; former Indian Ambassador Mr. Bupat Oza; former Speaker of the South Australian Parliament Mr. Peter Lewis; former UNESCO consultant Dr. Jiang Shaolun; and retired Russian General Mr. Gennady Temov.
Mr. Han Min-soo, the founder of the "World Peace Prize Selection Committee," is a Christian leader from South Korea who has dedicated his life to preaching and morality as the foundation of his existence. For the development of world peace and human kindness, he has spared no effort and is highly respected both in South Korea and around the world as a moral and compassionate religious leader.
Mr. Lester Wolf, the chairman of the "World Peace Prize Selection Committee," is a seasoned politician who has devoted his life to world peace and stability, particularly in contributing significantly to peace development in Asia. In 1978, he represented the U.S. Congress on a visit to China, laying the principles and foundation for U.S.-China diplomatic relations while ensuring peace and development across the Taiwan Strait. Mr. Wolf has been involved in eradicating drugs in the Golden Triangle and helping local people improve their living standards. In 1979, he successfully amended the "Foreign Assistance Act" initiated by the White House, facilitating peace negotiations between Israel and Arab countries, contributing to stability in the Middle East.
Senior reviewer Ms. Susie Leggett has long been engaged in political affairs, working in the U.S. Congress, and has served as Chief of Staff in the former Speaker's office. Her husband, former Congressman Robert Leggett, is one of the founders of the "World Peace Prize Selection Committee" and has served on the House "Military Services Committee," "Finance Committee," and as Chairman of the "House Panama Canal and Fisheries Committee." He is known for his selflessness, integrity, and loyalty to America, dedicating his life to supporting the happiness of the American people.
The recipient of the "World Peace Prize Lifetime Achievement Award," His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, is recognized as a historical Buddhist leader by major Buddhist sects worldwide. His noble character of enduring humiliation, kindness, selflessness, and benefiting others serves as a moral model for many. Over a hundred renowned Dharma kings, regents, and great rinpoches, including the master of the 17th Karmapa, the regent master of the Kagyü sect, and many others, have certified, endorsed, and congratulated His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III for his supreme status in Buddhism. He is the most certified supreme Buddha in thousands of years.
Another recipient of the "World Peace Prize Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2010, Mr. Benjamin Gilman, served long as the Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. He dedicated his life to human rights advocacy: rescuing the hungry and fighting against drug abuse and trafficking. He also achieved significant accomplishments in the "Prisoner Exchange Program," successfully rescuing American citizens from East Germany, Mozambique, Cuba, and other places. Mr. Gilman served in the U.S. Congress for 15 terms, totaling 30 years. Prior to that, he served as a New York State Assemblyman for six years and as an Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Department of Justice. During his time in Congress, he served as a U.S. Ambassador-level representative to the United Nations; later, he became Vice Chairman of the "Ukrainian Famine Committee" and Vice Chairman of the "Prisoners of War Committee." Mr. Gilman has received numerous awards throughout his life, including the U.S. Presidential Certificate of Outstanding Achievement, recognizing his "sustained goals, initiatives, and leadership that lead us toward a world without hunger." To this day, Mr. Gilman continues to receive the "Peace Force" award from the "American Security Council" annually.
【Appendix】Chinese Translation of the World Peace Prize
We who are engaged in the arduous task of promoting peace in a world wracked by war are loathe to give even a moment to respond to the baseless claims of The Phoenix Weekly and the likes about the World Peace Prize and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. However, for anyone who is remotely interested, we refer you to the recognition of support for the World Peace Prize by the U.S. Congress in the Resolution introduced by the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez:
We face a world ravaged by war, engaged in the arduous task of promoting peace. For those interested in the World Peace Prize and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, please refer to the resolution passed by U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez, confirming support for the World Peace Prize:
Whereas the World Peace Prize is a prestigious award presented by the World Peace Corps Mission that celebrates individuals who have contributed tremendously to peace and enlightenment for humanity;
Whereas past recipients of the World Peace Prize include President Ronald Reagan of the United States, President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia, and President Nakamura of Palau;
Whereas in 2010, the World Peace Prize Awarding Council recognized His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III for his devotion to an immensely wide scope of humanitarian activities directed at individuals from different communities throughout the world;
Resolved, That the Senate (1) commends the World Peace Corps Mission for advancing peace, justice, and inter-religious collaborations; and (2) celebrates the World Peace Award and the recipients of the World Peace Award.
We do not idly choose the recipients of our Peace Prizes. It was after due diligence that H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was selected to receive our 2010 award for his outstanding humanitarian efforts and the international community who enthusiastically applauded our choice. We too are aware of the continuing efforts of defamation directed at His Holiness in attempting to undermine his worldwide acclaim as a spiritual leader. The Phoenix Weekly story and the likes are just examples of destructive campaigns being waged against him and the work of those who seek to bring a lasting peace to a tumultuous world.
We have always based our awarding of the World Peace Prize on very rigorous reviews, and His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III was selected as the recipient of the 2010 World Peace Prize after thorough examination and unanimous agreement by the committee.