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The medal would recognize the exiled leader's advocacy of peace, compassion, tolerance, human rights, and nonviolence.

The award, initially given to military leaders, has also been given to individuals such as Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela.

The Dalai Lama was born Tenzin Gyatso in 1935. He fled Tibet in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule. Thirty years later, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on bringing freedom to his people.

(AFP)

U.S. Senate Votes To Give Dalai Lama High Honor

The Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader (file photo) (epa)
May 26, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate has adopted a bill that would award a Congressional gold medal to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama.

U.S. Senate Votes To Give Dalai Lama High Honor

The Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader (file photo) (epa)May 26, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate has adopted a bill that would award a Congressional gold medal to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader (file photo) (epa)
May 26, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate has adopted a bill that would award a Congressional gold medal to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama.