[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   A TRIBUTE TO HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ--KING RAMA IX OF 
                                THAILAND

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                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 13, 1995
  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to His Majesty 
the King of Thailand, on the commemoration of the Royal Golden Jubilee 
celebration which commences this month of January 1995 and continues 
through 1997. His Majesty will enter his 50th year of reign on June 9.
  The ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty was born on December 5, 1927, in 
Cambridge, MA. He is now the longest reigning monarch in Thailand's 
history. When crowned King on May 5, 1950, at the age of 23, he said, 
``We will reign with righteousness for the benefit and the happiness of 
the Siamese people.'' The legacy of his royal forebears resonated with 
these words and his subsequent bonding with the Thai people.
  His Majesty is the third constitutional monarch since absolute 
monarchy was abolished in 1932. He has built and strengthened his moral 
authority through unwavering integrity in decision making and constant 
pursuit of goals beneficial to his people. For nearly 50 years he has 
given Thailand the trusted, impartial leadership vital to surviving all 
threats to democracy.
  Loved and admired by his people, he is never far from them. He has 
visited all 72 Thai provinces to observe first-hand the needs of small 
communities and the challenges of working people. Over the years His 
Majesty has been involved in numerous projects promoting small business 
development and the welfare of farmers, including co-op farming, 
irrigation, re-forestation and watershed development. In conversations 
with his people, he emphasizes education, public health, and self-
improvement--key factors in developing and improving quality of life. 
He supports his theory with generous endowments to educational 
institutions and special projects, and he has set aside substantial 
space in Chitralada Palace for experimental agricultural projects.
  One of His Majesty's foremost commitments is the protection of 
authentic Thai culture through promotion of the arts and preservation 
of ancient cities. Part of the authenticity of Thai culture lies in 
religious diversity. The Thai constitution prescribes that the King not 
only defend the Buddhist faith, but uphold all religions. His Majesty 
gives equal protection and support to all forms of worship.
  His Majesty's influence can be discerned in all his numerous 
projects, his lifelong interest in public health, his efforts to bring 
peaceful solutions in times of conflict, and his generosity in helping 
refugees in neighboring countries. HIs contributions, on both a large 
and small scale, have made King Bhumibol the prime source of 
inspiration, pride and joy among the Thai people. If a country can be 
defined in terms of a soul, King Bhumibol Adulyadej has become the soul 
of Thailand.


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