Holt tells of trip to United Kingdom and India

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Rush Holt (D-Hopewell Township) yesterday returned from a 10-day bipartisan delegation to the United Kingdom and India during which he and other congressional leaders met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Dalai Lama.

The delegation, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, met with British and Indian officials to discuss several "urgent" international issues, including the global climate crisis, the situation in Tibet, and the world economy.

"Our meetings with these leaders reinforced the urgency of heightening worldwide efforts to address the climate crisis by making significant investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy," Holt said. "I was encouraged by our talks, and I hope Congress will continue to promote, at home and abroad, the need to invest in climate change research and development."

Holt's office said the delegation -- during its visit to Dharamsala, India, to meet with the Dalai Lama -- was welcomed by thousands of Tibetans in a ceremony led by Speaker Karma Choephel of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

During their meeting with the Dalai Lama, the congressional leaders discussed issues related to Tibet and later visited the Tibetan Children's Village where, with U.S. assistance, thousands of refugee children are educated.

"The situation in Tibet has deteriorated over the years with China brutally suppressing Tibetans and systematically and relentlessly eradicating Tibetan culture," Holt said. "I was moved to see and hear the pleadings of Tibetans of all ages who have braved the Himalayan crossings to escape the oppression. The Dalai Lama gives them hope and calls on the world not to forget them and those left in Tibet."

In addition to Holt and Pelosi, the congressional delegation included representatives from Massachusetts, Wisconsin, California, and Washington.