By Sharpa Tulku

WISCIONSIN, March 10, 1997 -- Wisconsin's celebration of the 38th anniversary of March Tenth started at 10 am with the hoisting of Tibetan flag on the west side of the State Capitol Building above the Assembly Chamber. At the request of Sherab Choephel Phunkyi, who works in the legislature, State Rep. Bob Dueholm of 19th district helped pass a resolution to fly the Tibetan flag on the State Building for the first time in Wisconsin.

This year's March Tenth rally was organized by the UW-Madison chapter of Students for Free Tibet. It took place on the steps of the capitol under the lofty and fluttering red, blue and yellow colors of the Tibetan National flag. Venerable Prof. Geshe Sopa recited the Prayer of Words of Truth in Tibetan followed by a moments of silence. After a brief introduction of the significance of the event, His Holiness's statement was read. After the reading of Gov. Thompson's proclamation declaring March Tenth as "Tibet Day", Alderpersons, Barbara Veddar and Brent Sieling spoke on their efforts to introduce resolutions in the Madison City Council to enact a selective purchase ordinance in support of larger efforts for socially responsible investiment, an effective method used by the Free Burma Coalition. Although there were some members of the Madison Tibetan community in traditional attire, most of the Tibetans went to Chicago to join others to demonstrate and to show solidarity to Civl Rights Leader, Rev. Ronald I.S

chupp who leads a 24-hour fast and vigil in front of the Chinese consulate. The rally in Madison concluded with a circumambulation of the Capitol Building.