By David L. Ganz
Numismatic News
September 18, 2007

Everything in Washington, D.C., requires Senate and House approval, so it came as no shock Sept. 5 when the Senate agreed to a House resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Rotunda to make a presentation of a
congressional gold medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights and religious understanding.

On Sept. 27, 2006, President Bush signed Public Law 109-287, authorizing the presentation of the gold medal.

Religious figures who have been given the award include Pope John Paul II, Rabbi Menachim Schnearson and others. About 300 gold medals have been given since Gen. George Washington received the first in 1776.