September 19th, 2012
02:52 AM ET

Myanmar's Suu Kyi to receive top congressional honor in Washington

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a pro-democracy campaigner who was kept under house arrest for years by the country's military rulers, is due to receive the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in Washington on Wednesday.

The honor is one of the highlights of a 17-day tour of the United States by Suu Kyi, who was freed in 2010 and elected to the Myanmar parliament this year, a historic moment in the incipient political reforms under way in the Southeast Asian nation.

Congress awarded the medal, its "highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions," to Suu Kyi in May 2008, but she has only now been able to make her first visit to the United States in decades to receive it.

She joins a list of recipients that includes George Washington, Nelson Mandela and Frank Sinatra.

Over the next two weeks, Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet with high-level American officials, as well as democratic activists.

FULL STORY
Post by:
Filed under: Myanmar
soundoff (14 Responses)
  1. Um, yeah.

    Are you folks sure about wanting the entire world to become democratic? Keep in mind, a sizeable majority of the world view men like George W. Bush and Ariel Sharon as men standing in the way of peace, not men oursuing peace.
    Imagine if the world were a democracy. What are the odds that a US CITIZEN would ever get elected to lead anything?

    September 19, 2012 at 7:40 am | Report abuse |
  2. Barack Hussein Obama

    I resent that

    September 19, 2012 at 7:46 am | Report abuse |
  3. Odd

    Odd. George Washington and Neslon Mandella had very little in common with Frank Sinatra, yet Frank won the same award.
    Sinatra was only a singer/actor who ran with the mob who used him to draw easy marks to Las Vegas. Sinatra distracted you while the casinos worked their magic on you. It was quite a scam and very profitable for Frank and the mob. But to be awarded a congressional medal for this? What next? LV entertainer Wayne Newton awarded for his attempts at bringing peace to the earth?

    September 19, 2012 at 7:52 am | Report abuse |
  4. Um, yeah.

    @BHO. Why? You aren't a genuine US citizen...not that it really matters now or ever did matter to me. I'm more curious about BHOs christian baptismal certificate (if any) than I am with his birth certificates.
    @Odd. Idn't it odd that BHOs baptismal record hasn't been questioned?

    September 19, 2012 at 8:00 am | Report abuse |
  5. fernace

    I admire this woman, who has faught hard to bring democracy to her people, even while imprisoned! She brings hope to oppressed people all over the world! And yes, democracy is good for all world citizens, but the "birther" nonsense is old! Can't believe people are still carping on it! Let it go, you'll feel so much better!!

    September 19, 2012 at 9:33 am | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      I agree with you, fernace, but the birther nonsense is the only thing keeping some people alive; not having an outlet to vent their bile would cause some people's heads to spontaneously explode.

      This woman has been through much, and deserves this honor as much as GW and NM does; she is a woman of integrity and courage.

      September 19, 2012 at 12:09 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Oh, and hi, fernace!

      September 19, 2012 at 12:11 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Just one voice

    If we as peoples of the United States continuously voice our litany of concise complaints since the Obama administration, would it not pour forth onto the powers like a tsunami?

    September 19, 2012 at 10:40 am | Report abuse |
  7. Just one voice

    Yes, it is her substance evidence that got her gagged. I know only the gist of her plight. Thanks for the website.

    September 19, 2012 at 11:11 am | Report abuse |
  8. @Just one voice

    Who are you saying Yes to?

    September 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm | Report abuse |
  9. fernace

    Hey banasy, have a great day!!

    September 19, 2012 at 12:30 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Philip

    She does appear to be a woman of integrity and courage. She's no USA FBI Sibel D. Edmonds or US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, but give them medals too why don'tcha?
    Why is it that foreigners get most of the press these days? We have our own unrewarded women. Do we not.
    And could at least one of you regs say something mice about these two brave women, Sybel and Cynthia? They served YOUR country for many many years. You just barely met this Myanmar lady. sheesh.

    September 19, 2012 at 1:11 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Philip on "baby boomers"

    The baby boom began not long after women burned their bras and high-tech pharmaceuticals reached America's shores from Nazi Germany. Most are familiar with our "se xual revolution" and startup drug use of the 1950s and 60s.
    The babies would still be booming if not for abortion (which had been illegal throughout our history) being legalized, and the proliferation of high-tech big Pharma drugs that lead US to birth defects.
    Did you know that if your child was born with a birth defect, Big Pharma will pay you not to sue them? Because dozens of birth defects have been proven in court to be linked with specific pharmaceuticals. Amazing stuff, really.
    http://www.drugawareness.org
    http://www.SSRIstories.com
    http://www.truthinlabeling.org

    September 19, 2012 at 1:21 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Philip on "baby boomers"

    In fact, if not for legalized abortions, there would be millions and millions more deformed and mentally "challenged" children than there are now.
    As of 2006, there have been over 50 million legal abortions performed in the USA. Some thank God for abortion.

    September 19, 2012 at 1:26 pm | Report abuse |
« Back to main