Dear John,

I hope this note finds you well as the year winds down and we look forward to holiday gatherings with our loved ones.

This has been such a strange and confusing year for all us Americans and our international brothers and sisters. Our government’s priorities and actions have left us baffled and longing for inclusive visions of possibility for everyone. But this is one priority and concern that I have heard consistently in every Congressional office I’ve visited, Republican and Democrat… “we have to do something about China.”

This has been loud and clear and not only as to the economy, but equally and to me far more importantly, the human rights and civil rights abuses in China, its autonomous regions and the constant meddling and manipulation in its neighbors’ affairs.

Our Tibetan sisters and brothers continue to be a steadfast beacon of truth, honesty, compassion and inclusion. Under the inspiring leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetans, even in exile, day by day, year by year continue to generate a powerful moral, spiritual and practical influence wherever they may be.

The Chinese Communist Party has effectively blocked access to Tibet and their grinding repression and cultural destruction there continues.

When you read about millions of Uighurs in concentration camps, think of Tibet. When you watch the demonstrations for freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong, think of Tibet. When you read about the religious and cultural repression throughout China, think of Tibet. When you hear about the Chinese theft of land in Central Asia, the Himalayas, the South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Africa, South America… think of Tibet.

Because you do continue to think about Tibet and hold a special place in your heart for the Tibetan people, I am sure you will be thinking of them over the coming weeks—just as you do all year long.

And because you have so generously demonstrated your commitment to the Tibetan cause as a member of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), as your partner, I believe you will be pleased with this news:

A small group of friends and I who share your dedication to helping Tibetans in their struggle for peace and freedom, have agreed to match all year-end contributions to ICT, up to a total of $250,000. That’s right, you will be doubling your gift.

We are taking this action in hopes of inspiring friends like you to be especially generous with your year-end support of ICT’s work.

You likely do not need any added inspiration beyond that which you take from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the courage displayed daily by Tibetans living under the Chinese government’s oppressive rule. But if knowing your contribution will do twice as much good work as usual inspires you to give today, I am happy to provide a matching donation.

I am also proud of the success of ICT’s work this year, and hopeful for the additional progress we can make in 2020 by continuing to stand in solidarity with our Tibetan brothers and sisters.

Our top priority is advocating for passage of legislation that will put the US government officially on record rejecting the Chinese Communist Party’s scheme to install a new Dalai Lama. This is my own personal priority this year.

Thanks to your help, ICT was a driving force in getting this important legislation introduced in Congress. Getting it passed and signed into law will be a much greater, but very achievable challenge.

This advocacy effort is in addition to ICT’s ongoing work of expanding access to Tibet so people the world over can learn the truth about China’s ruthless 70-year occupation of Tibet. We must also increase global pressure on China to involve the people of Tibet, knowledgeable Tibetan nomads in particular, in protecting the Tibetan Plateau’s fragile environment from certain exploitation and destruction.

All of these efforts require significant financial resources, most of which are provided by supporters like you and me.

That is why I encourage you to make your year-end contribution well before December 31st so my friends and I can match it dollar-for-dollar, and ICT can put it to work helping Tibetans achieve their dream of peace and freedom. We need to support them now more than ever.

As always, I remain personally grateful for your compassion and commitment to this most just cause.

All the best,

Richard
Chairman
ICT Board of Directors