One of Myanmar's most well-known dissenters is a woman who speaks out against the military rulers in her country. Today, she was honored by the United States.

The White House organized a special ceremony to award Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal.

She has spent 12 years under house arrest for supporting pro-democracy parties.

"This is a fitting tribute to a courageous woman who speaks for freedom for all the people of Burma, and who speaks in such a way that she's a powerful voice in contrast to the junta that currently rules the country," President Bush said.

Suu Kyi is already a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Many of Myanmar's people believe she also won the country's last election.