Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Act
PL 109-287 (S.2784), enacted 09/27/2006

120 STAT. 1231
PUBLIC LAW 109–287—SEPT. 27, 2006
Public Law 109–287
109th Congress
An Act
To award a congressional gold medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama,
in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace,
non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may cited as the ‘‘Fourteenth Dalai Lama Congres-
sional Gold Medal Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai
Lama—
(1) is recognized in the United States and throughout the
world as a leading figure of moral and religious authority;
(2) is the unrivaled spiritual and cultural leader of the
Tibetan people, and has used his leadership to promote democ-
racy, freedom, and peace for the Tibetan people through a
negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue, based on autonomy
within the People’s Republic of China;
(3) has led the effort to preserve the rich cultural, religious,
and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people and to promote
the safeguarding of other endangered cultures throughout the
world;
(4) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his
efforts to promote peace and non-violence throughout the globe,
and to find democratic reconciliation for the Tibetan people
through his ‘‘Middle Way’’ approach;
(5) has significantly advanced the goal of greater under-
standing, tolerance, harmony, and respect among the different
religious faiths of the world through interfaith dialogue and
outreach to other religious leaders; and
(6) has used his moral authority to promote the concept
of universal responsibility as a guiding tenet for how human
beings should treat one another and the planet we share.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The Speaker of the House
of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on
behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design,
to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in recognition of
his many enduring contributions to peace and religious under-
standing.
Fourteenth Dalai
Lama
Congressional
Gold Medal Act.
31 USC 5111
note.
Sept. 27, 2006
[S. 2784]
VerDate 14-DEC-2004
10:20 Jul 12, 2007
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 01229
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
E:\PUBLAW\PUBL001.109
APPS06
PsN: PUBL001
120 STAT. 1232
PUBLIC LAW 109–287—SEPT. 27, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2784:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
May 25, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 13, considered and passed House.
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For purposes of the presentation
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred
to in this Act as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall strike a gold medal with
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by
the Secretary.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the
gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations
as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the
cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery,
and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) NATIONAL MEDALS.—The medals struck pursuant to this
Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31,
United States Code.
(b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of sections 5134 and
5136 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under
this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.—There is authorized
to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs
of the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
(b) PROCEEDS OF SALE.—Amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be depos-
ited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Approved September 27, 2006.
VerDate 14-DEC-2004
10:20 Jul 12, 2007
Jkt 059194
PO 00001
Frm 01230
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
E:\PUBLAW\PUBL001.109
APPS06
PsN: PUBL001