[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E597-E598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            WELCOMING HIS MAJESTY HASSAN II, KING OF MOROCCO

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 1995
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in 
extending a warm welcome to the United States to His Majesty Hassan II, 
King of Morocco, who is visiting our country over the next few days.
  Not only is King Hassan an outstanding and long-time friend of the 
United States, who has championed the cause of economic progress and 
democracy in his own country and peace and progress in the Middle East 
conflict, but he is the head of state of a country with which the 
United States has had a long and friendly relationship. Morocco was the 
first nation to recognize the independence of the United States of 
America in 1777, and it has been a steadfast ally of our country since 
that time.
  During the 33 years of his reign, King Hassan has presided over the 
remarkable economic and political development of the Kingdom of 
Morocco. He was a dynamic leader in 
[[Page E598]] the liberation of Morocco from French and Spanish 
protectorates. Shortly after ascending to the throne in 1961, King 
Hassan established a constitutional monarchy based on a multiparty 
political system including free elections, an elected parliament, a 
free press, and free trade unions. The King has worked tirelessly for 
the economic and social progress of his people. I also want to commend 
His Majesty particularly for his commitment to a pluralistic society 
that is tolerant of ethnic and religious diversity.
  Morocco's leaders have promoted peace through diplomatic dialog long 
before the country was liberated from colonial rule. King Hassan has 
continued in that distinguished national tradition, and he has 
personally played an important international role that has benefited 
countries and peoples well beyond the borders of Morocco. King Hassan 
is a former head of the Organization of African Unity, and he is a 
leader in the Arab world whose moderating influence has helped 
stabilize this turbulent region.
  Recently, under the leadership of King Hassan, Morocco has played an 
extremely positive role in seeking to bring peace to the Middle East. 
King Hassan was the first Arab leader to meet with Israeli Prime 
Minister Rabin and Foreign Minister Peres following the signing of the 
Declaration of Principles in Washington, DC, in September, 1993, 
between Israel and the PLO, and Morocco was the first Arab country 
after the signing of that declaration to establish a liaison office in 
Israel.
  I have personally witnessed the remarkable progress and modernization 
of the kingdom of Morocco under the leadership of King Hassan, and I 
have had the opportunity to meet with His Majesty King Hassan on a 
number of occasions over many years. I have the utmost respect and 
admiration for the enlightened leadership he has provided the kingdom 
of Morocco, in Africa and in the Arab world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to extend a warm hand of friendship 
and goodwill to this champion of peace and democracy in the true spirit 
of our Nation on the occasion of his visit to the United States.


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