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COPY-Dalai Lama to receive Liberty Medal for human rights work

Published  June 17, 2015 12:43pm EDT
FOX 29 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Dalai Lama will be honored with Philadelphia's Liberty Medal for his efforts to promote compassion and human rights around the globe.

In announcing the award Wednesday, National Constitution Center CEO Jeffrey Rosen said the Tibetan spiritual leader has "emphasized the ideals of freedom, dialogue and tolerance."

The medal comes with a $100,000 cash prize. It's given annually by the Constitution Center to those who strive to secure liberty for people worldwide.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since a failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

He'll travel to Philadelphia for a ceremony Oct. 26, one month after Pope Francis visits the city.

Previous Liberty Medal winners include Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and rock singer and humanitarian Bono.