U.S. Congressman Danny Davis, 7th District, IL For the second year in a row U.S. Congressman Danny Davis met with Amma Sri Karunamayi, Bhagavati Sri Sri Sri Vijayeshwari Devi, and presented Her Holiness with yet another award. The Golden Swan Award 2013 was offered to Amma Sri Karunamayi this June in recognition of Her Holiness’s “…Selfless service to Humanity and inspirational life dedicated to leading the people of the world towards unity and harmony”. This award marks the third time that Congressman Davis has honored Amma Sri Karunamayi—the previous two being, last year’s presentation on the prestigious Golden Eagle Award 2012, offered to Amma Sri Karunamayi by Congressman Davis in June 2012, and the U.S. Congressional Citation presented to Amma on Capitol Hill, Washington DC, July 2012, (both awards celebrating Amma Sri Karunamayi’s charitable work throughout the world)

U.S. Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois, USA This highest honor is presented to an individual by a governor (chief executive of a state) in the USA. Governor Pat Quinn of the State of Illinois dedicated this award to Her Holiness Amma Sri Karunamayi on the 5th of June 2013 upon learning of Sri Karunamayi’s visit to the State of Illinois. Governor Quinn chose to bestow this honor on Her Holiness for “…Her keen guidance and unwavering commitment to serving those in need”. The governor singled-out Amma Sri Karunamayi’s work in the area of free health care and applauded Her Holiness on establishing and sustaining a 100-bed free hospital in the remote regions of the Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Governor Quinn proceeded to present Amma Sri Karunamayi with an Official Proclamation of the State of Illinois, and gave his “…best wishes for Amma Sri Karunamayi’s continued success in service to the global community”.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, State of Illinois, USA The post of Lieutenant Governor is the second highest position that can be held by an elected official in a state (the post of governor being the highest). This year Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon of the state of Illinois conferred upon Amma Sri Karunamayi the award and title Woman of the Year 2013. The award was given in response to Her Holiness’s profound leadership in providing for the needy people around world and exemplary life of service that has inspired both women and men to do the same.

US Congressman Bill Foster, Washington DC, USA Honorable US Congressman Bill Foster (a member of the US House of Representatives) addressed the United States Congress while in session to recognize Amma Sri Karunamayi’s life devoted to the of service to others as well as “…Her charitable works in India: feeding the poor, building free schools, housing, an orphanage and a hospital; and through Her efforts to teach meditation and peaceful living”. The entire US Congress joined Congressman Foster in honoring Amma Sri Karunamayi for Her Holiness’s “…commitment to helping others, [which] has served as an inspiration around the world”. Moreover, all of the above where entered in the Official United States of America Congressional Record under the Proceedings and Debates of the 113th Congress, First Session.

The Members of the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, and presented by Deputy Speaker Upendra J. Chivukula, Trenton, New Jersey, USA. This award was presented on 21st of July to Amma Sri Karunamayi for Her Holiness’s “…selfless and unwavering dedication to humanitarian endeavors… as evidenced by efforts in establishing a free hospital and out-patient clinics… as well as providing free education, housing, clothing, clean drinking water and meals” to lakhs of people in India. Deputy Speaker Chivukula went on to remark that Amma Sri Karunamayi has “set a standard of excellence in leadership and service, towards which others might strive, and in so doing has earned the high esteem of the Members of the New Jersey General Assembly… This House hereby Honors and Salutes Sri Karunamayi Amma, commends her outstanding record of devoted service to the children and people of India and the world community, and extends best wishes for Her continued success in all of Her future endeavors”.

Dr. Tony Ruprecht, Toronto, ON, Canada This award was sanctioned by Member of Provincial Parliament Bas Balkissoon, M.P.P., and presented to Her Holiness Amma Sri Karunamayi in the City Hall of Toronto, Ontario, by former M.P.P, Dr. Tony Ruprecht. The award commemorates Amma Sri Karunamayi’s 10 years of providing compassionate leadership, spiritual guidance, hope and inspiration to the people of Canada.