In a release from ICT President Bush is confirmed to attend Congressional Gold Medal ceremony to honor HH the Dalai Lama on October 17 in the US Capital Rotunda. This will be the first time that a sitting US President will appear with the Dalai Lama in a public event. Earlier this month, during discussions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Sydney, President Bush informed China’s leader, Hu Jintao, that he would be attending the Gold Medal ceremony. ICT said following the ceremony, there will be a celebration with remarks from the Dalai Lama on the West Lawn of the Capitol which is free and open to the public. It is believed to be the first time in the 200-year history of the honor that the West Lawn will be used for a Congressional Gold Medal celebration. Several thousand people from North America is expected to attend the ceremony.