I stand here strong in the knowledge that I am among friends, Suu Kyi said in the Capitol rotunda as she finally accepted the Congressional Gold Medal, which Congress awarded her in absentia in 2008 when she was still confined in Myanmar.
I consider myself very fortunate to have lived to see this day and to know the people of Burma, whose dignity and rights Aung San Suu Kyi has sacrificed so much to defend, and will one day be free to live with dignity and justice and hope.