Dalai Lama Lauded

The Dalai Lama, left, holds up the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. Looking on, from second from left are, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va. and President Bush.

These images provided by the U.S. Mint show the obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) sides of the Congressional Gold Medal that was awarded to the Dalai Lama during a ceremony on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. The medal is designed and struck by the Mint individually to honor each specific recipient.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, and President Bush, right, greet the Dalai Lama in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, as he arrives for the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in his honor.

President Bush, left, looks at the Dalai Lama during the Presentation of the Colors during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington.

President George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama laugh during a ceremony presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award bestowed by U.S. lawmakers.

Actor Richard Gere arrives in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, for the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Dalai Lama.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, applauds while talking with the Dalai Lama in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama looks up at the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in his honor.

The Dalai Lama addresses the audience gathered to witness him receive the Congressional Gold Medal in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in Washington. President Bush participated in the ceremony despite China's strong disapproval of the recognition for the 72-year-old exiled leader from Tibet.

Followers of the Dalai Lama record his Congressional Gold Medal ceremony with a video camera, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington.

President Bush, left, escorts The Dalai Lama from the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington.

The Dalai Lama greets supporters Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in front of the Capitol during festivities in Washington.

The Dalai Lama speaks with reporters outside his hotel after a visit to the White House and for a meeting with President Bush, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Washington.