The United States' House of Representatives on Monday unanimously awarded its highest civilian honour, the Congressional Gold Medal, to detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
House Representatives said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been chosen for the award as recognition of her courage and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights and democracy in Burma.
The motion introduced by Rep. Joseph Crowley gained the full support of the House with 400 votes to none.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the latest in a series of awards that have been conferred on the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in detention for the past 12 of 18 years she has been in Burma.
Suu Kyi, daughter of Burma's independence hero General Aung San, has led the opposition movement against the military junta, which has maintained an unbroken rule of the country for over 45 years.
Aung Din, Director of the Washington-based US Campaign Burma (USCB) in a press statement said, "This award will generate major international attention to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and further increase global resolve for her necessary, immediate and unconditional release."
"It is time for the world to press for a meaningful and time-bound process of achieving democracy and national reconciliation in Burma," added Aung Din.
The Congressional Gold Medal, which was originally awarded to military leaders for achievement in the war front but later became a civilian medal, has been awarded to several outstanding leaders including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, African political leader Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Tibet's spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II.
However, it needs the approval of the Senate before being awarded to the recipients.
