Today, Congressman Cao and fellow members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to discuss freedom for Tibet and other countries oppressed by totalitarian governments.

The Tibetan leader, began the discussion with his own optimistic sentiment that, “in spite of present difficulties, eventually freedom will come.” He went on to discuss the importance of cultural diversity in order to create a society of tolerance and compassion, and said that the United States had always been an inspiration to him.

In a conversation with the Dalai Lama, Congressman Cao shared information about his similar past. As a refugee from Vietnam, Cao fled religious and political persecution from an oppressive communist regime, much as the Dalai Lama himself fled from China’s current government.

They also discussed the “best approaches” for ending human rights violations as well as the plight of refugees from oppressed nations all over the world.

Following the meeting, His Holiness presented Congressman Cao and his colleagues with traditional Tibetan scarves that he himself had blessed.