Congress Honors Aung Sun Suu Kyi

gathered in the rotunda

House Speaker John Boehner and Congressional Leaders were joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former First Lady Laura Bush to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Aung Sun Suu Kyi on September 19, 2012.

Speaker Boehner introduces Ms. Suu Kyi

“In a few moments, we will present Ms. Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal,” House Speaker John Boehner said. “What a moment it will be for the woman whose name means ‘strange collection of bright victories.’”

Aung Sun Suu Kyi was presented the Congressional Gold Medal

Aung Sun Suu Kyi was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008 while under house arrest in Burma as a political prisoner. Congress presented her the medal on September 19, 2012.

Suu Kyi at the podium

“This is one of the most moving days of my life,” Suu Kyi said, “to be here in a house undivided, a house joined together to welcome a stranger from a distant land.”

Congressional Leaders from the United States House and Senate presented Burmese National League for Democracy chair Aung Sun Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal in the Capitol Rotunda on September 19, 2012. Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest as a political prisoner when Congress awarded her the medal in 2008, is recognized globally as a champion for human rights and democracy.

House Speaker John Boehner and his Congressional colleagues were joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former First Lady Laura Bush for the ceremony. “We can present this medal not only as a symbol of our highest honors,” Speaker Boehner said, “but also our highest hopes, for the hard work that lies ahead.”