Updated Endorsements

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama signing the first quilt on April 25, 2009

Other Endorsements for the Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project

Endorsement from Mr. Jampa Monlam, Assistant Director, Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy, Dharamsala, India

Initiated and undertaken by the Tibetan Association of Northern California, the Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project aims to memorialize/honor Tibetan martyrs who have laid their lives for the greater cause of Tibet since 1959. While commemorating the Tibetan sacrifices made during the most critical juncture of Tibet’s history, the project also helps to generate awareness about the unresolved nature of the Tibetan issue. For all those involved with this outstanding project, I thank you wholeheartedly and wish you all the very best in this endeavor.

Kalon Kelsang Yangkyi Takla, Minister,

Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala. INDIA

The Committee of 100 for Tibet endorses the “Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project” and acknowledges this tribute honoring those who have lost their lives as a result of the illegal occupation of Tibet by China that continues after 50 years.  We salute the Tibetan Association of Northern California for pursuing this project that pays public respect to the generations of oppressed Tibetan brothers and sisters and, in particular, to those who have given their lives in the cause of the Tibetan people’s United Nations-recognized right to self-determination.

Kasur Tenzin Tethong, Board Chair, Committee of 100 for Tibet

This is a powerful initiative to raise awareness and inspire people to take action for Tibet. By creating a living memory of the many Tibetan men and woman whose courage in the face of unimaginable suffering has inspired generations, this project is a visible and lasting way to pay tribute to Tibet’s heroes and contribute to the ongoing freedom struggle.

Lhadon Tethong, Executive Director, Students for a Free Tibet

With gratitude, Bay Area Friends of Tibet enthusiastically supports TANC’s Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project. The Tibetan Memorial Quilt will honor the tens of thousands of Tibetans who have given their lives in the nonviolent struggle for peace, justice, and freedom, rather than succumb to China’s repressive policies of cultural genocide.

Giovanni Vassallo, Board President, Bay Area Friends of Tibet

The Tibetan Association of Boston highly commends TANC for launching such a powerful and innovative project. The Tibetan Memorial Quilt will serve as a constant reminder for us and to the world that 1.2 million Tibetans, which is close to about 20% of our Tibetan population, have died as a result of the Chinese occupation. It will also serve to make us all aware of the untold suffering and hardship that Tibetans inside Tibet are still going through.

Tenzin Sonam, General Secretary, Tibetan Association of Boston

As we continue to pursue our struggle for freedom in Tibet, we are determined not to forget those who came before us, many of whom tragically lost their lives for our country.  TANC’s Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project pays tribute to brave men and women of Tibet who have sacrificed their lives in the face of repression. This project will help educate not only the international community including Chinese public, but Tibetans as well. It offers a visually creative way of raising international awareness about and increasing support for Tibet. The Tibetan Association of Sante Fe, New Mexico gladly endorses the Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project.

Rigzin Latoe, President, Tibetan Association of Santa Fe, New Mexico

First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank TANC for coming up with such a great idea.  The memorial quilt is truly a unique way of commemorating our fallen brothers and sisters for the past 50 years.  It will be the International Community’s way of letting them know that we will keep their hopes and dreams alive.  The Tibetan Association of Southern California endorses this project wholeheartedly and will support TANC in any capacity that we can.

Pema Choden, President, Tibetan Association of Southern California

SFRTYC wishes to express our full support for the Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project, which commemorates 50 years of Tibet’s occupation by China while remembering those Tibetans who have sacrificed their life for the struggle of Tibet’s freedom. The project carries the powerful message in stating the current need for human rights in Tibet at this critical time.

Executive Board, San Francisco Regional Tibetan Youth Congress

The Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario Canada, representing one of the largest Tibetan communities in North America overwhelmingly endorses the Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project in honor of those brave Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for Tibetan freedom struggle through non-violence in the last 50 years. This project showcases a tribute of immeasurable contribution by those peace-loving people to fight for basic human rights. We extend our support and best wishes to TANC for this great initiative.

Norbu Tsering, President, The Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario

“The Tibetan Memorial Quilt Project” is a creative initiative to remember and honor the thousands of Tibetans who have lost their lives in the 50 years following the invasion and occupation of Tibet by Chinese armed forces. The International Campaign for Tibet recognizes and endorses TANC’s initiative enthusiastically.

Mary Beth Markey, Vice President for Advocacy and Communications, International Campaign for Tibet

I wholeheartedly support and thank Tibetan Association of Northern California for this innovative and brilliant project idea of “The Tibetan Memorial Quilt”. In our most difficult times, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the people and the country of Tibet, we owe it to them by recognizing their valor and remembering them. Our future generations must and we must, remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those who died will be meaningless. They died for us. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness.

Thupten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Office of Tibet, London – U.K.