[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 10, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H560-H565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF KING HUSSEIN IBN TALAL AL-HASHEM

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order 
to consider Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 in the House, and that the 
previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution 
to final adoption without intervening motion except for 1 hour of 
debate, equally divided and controlled by myself and by the gentleman 
from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, 
I call up the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 7) honoring 
the life and legacy of King Hussein ibn Talal al-Hashem, and ask for 
its immediate consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the Senate concurrent 
resolution.
  The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

                             S. Con. Res. 7

       Whereas King Hussein ibn Talal al-Hashem was born in Amman 
     on November 14, 1935;
       Whereas he was proclaimed King of Jordan in August of 1952 
     at the age of 17 following the assassination of his 
     grandfather, King Abdullah and the abdication of his father, 
     Talal;
       Whereas King Hussein became the longest serving head of 
     state in the Middle East, working with every United States 
     President since Dwight D. Eisenhower;
       Whereas under King Hussein, Jordan has instituted wide-
     ranging democratic reforms;
       Whereas throughout his life, King Hussein survived multiple 
     assassination attempts, plots to overthrow his government and 
     attacks on Jordan, invariably meeting such attacks with 
     fierce courage and devotion to his Kingdom and its people;
       Whereas despite decades of conflict with the State of 
     Israel, King Hussein invariably maintained a dialogue with 
     the Jewish state, and ultimately signed a full-fledged peace 
     treaty with Israel on October 26, 1994;
       Whereas King Hussein has established a model for Arab-
     Israeli coexistence in Jordan's ties with the State of 
     Israel, including deepening political and cultural relations, 
     growing trade and economic ties and other major 
     accomplishments;
       Whereas King Hussein contributed to the cause of peace in 
     the Middle East with tireless energy, rising from his sick 
     bed at the last to assist in the Wye Plantation talks between 
     the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority;
       Whereas King Hussein fought cancer with the same courage he 
     displayed in tirelessly promoting and making invaluable 
     contributions to peace in the Middle East;
       Whereas on February 7, 1999, King Hussein succumbed to 
     cancer in Amman, Jordan: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the 
     family of King Hussein and to all the people of Jordan in 
     this difficult time;
       (2) expresses admiration for King Hussein's enlightened 
     leadership and gratitude for his support for peace throughout 
     the Middle East;
       (3) expresses its support and best wishes for the new 
     government of Jordan under King Abdullah;
       (4) reaffirms the United States commitment to strengthening 
     the vital relationship between our two governments and 
     peoples.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit 
     an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of the 
     deceased.

                              {time}  1315

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina). Pursuant to

[[Page H561]]

the order of the House today, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) 
and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) each will control 30 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on S. Con. Res. 7.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to accompany President 
Clinton, former President Bush, former President Ford, and former 
President Carter to King Hussein's funeral as the Speaker's 
representative.
  World leaders, and there were many who attended the funeral, were all 
profoundly saddened by the loss on Sunday, February 7 of His Majesty, 
King Hussein bin Talal al-Hashem of Jordan.
  We are today considering S. Con. Res. 7 which honors the life and 
legacy of King Hussein, extending the deepest sympathies and 
condolences of the United States Congress to Her Majesty, Queen Noor, 
King Abdullah, and the entire Hashemite family, and all citizens of 
Jordan during this most difficult period.
  S. Con. Res. 7, sponsored by Majority Leader Lott, notes King 
Hussein's illustrious, dedicated service to the people of Jordan, and 
his commitment to peace throughout the Middle East, expressing our 
admiration for King Hussein's enlightened leadership in his pursuit of 
peace.
  It also expresses our support for the new government of Jordan under 
King Abdullah and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the 
relationship between our two nations.
  Mr. Speaker, King Hussein was proclaimed Jordan's monarch in 1952 at 
the very young age of 17 following the assassination of his 
grandfather, King Abdullah, and the medically required abdication of 
his father, Talal. King Hussein became the longest serving head of 
state in the Middle East and had a personal relationship with every 
United States President beginning with President Eisenhower.
  In a region rife with political intrigue, King Hussein was a true 
survivor, displaying pinpoint tactical ability to survive multiple 
assassination attempts and plots to overthrow his government. He 
courageously defended his kingdom and its people even when, on 
occasion, his decisions differed with those of our own government.
  King Hussein dedicated his life to bringing peace and stability to 
Jordan and to the entire Middle East. He succeeded through the sheer 
force of will, as well as his dedication, his persistence, and his 
vision for a brighter future.
  Under his leadership, Jordan matured from its beginnings as a desert 
kingdom to one of the leading nations of the Middle East. King Hussein 
instituted wide-ranging democratic reforms, and a friendship between 
our Nation and Jordan grew even stronger based on mutual respect and 
our common interests.
  This enduring partnership bodes well for cooperation and development 
in Jordan as we witness a transition to King Hussein's eldest son and 
heir, King Abdullah.
  Throughout King Hussein's reign, his search for peace was 
everlasting. Despite decades of conflict with Israel, King Hussein 
maintained secret contacts with Israeli leaders throughout the years. 
Under his leadership, a historic peace treaty was signed between Jordan 
and Israel on October 26, 1994, which King Hussein termed his crowning 
achievement and which today serves as a model for Arab-Israeli co-
existence.
  Mr. Speaker, in all probability, the Wye River Memorandum between 
Israel and the Palestinian Authority last October would not have been 
signed had it not been for King Hussein who rose from his hospital bed 
at the Mayo Clinic to travel to the Wye Plantation to inspire its 
participants.
  Throughout his life, King Hussein was renowned as a man of courage, 
of wisdom, dignity, and strength. All of us recognize the extraordinary 
impact that King Hussein had on the people of Jordan, on our own 
Nation, and upon the world. This measure before us assures the citizens 
of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that the friendship, support, and 
assistance of our Nation will continue as part of King Hussein's legacy 
to its people.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the noblest men I have had the privilege of 
knowing is now destined for the ages. When the King addressed Congress 
after the announcement that peace with Israel had been achieved, he 
said, and I quote, ``The two Semitic peoples, the Arabs and the Jews, 
have endured bitter trials and tribulations during their journey 
through history.''
  ``Let us resolve to end this suffering forever and to fulfill our 
responsibilities as leaders of our peoples, and our duty as human 
beings toward mankind.''
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of us will take those words to heart and 
carry on the legacy that King Hussein bequeathed to us and the world. 
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to lend their full support to S. Con. 
Res. 7.
  Mr. Speaker, it was my solemn duty and honor to represent this House 
with my distinguished colleague Mr. Bonior, the Minority Whip, and 
Presidents Clinton, Ford, Bush, and Carter, at the funeral on Monday of 
His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan, a leader of vision and courage and 
a true friend of the United States.
  In the course of that funeral and from all corners of the world, 
there have been many fitting tributes to the man who ruled Jordan for 
47 years and made his country a partner with the United States and with 
Israel for peace in the Middle East. One of those tributes was issued 
by the American Jewish Committee, an organization committed to 
strengthening the U.S.-Jordan relationship in the context of its 
support for a secure and lasting peace for Israel, containment of 
radical movements and regimes, and stability in a region vital to U.S. 
interests.
  I wish to call my colleagues' attention to the following statement, 
issued by the American Jewish Committee upon the death of King Hussein:

 American Jewish Committee Mourns King Hussein of Jordan, Hailing His 
             Courageous Embrace of True Peace With Israel'

       New York, Feb. 5.--The American Jewish Committee today 
     mourned the death of His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan. The 
     organization's President, Bruce M. Ramer, and Executive 
     Director, David A. Harris, issued the following statement:
       ``The American Jewish Committee mourns with the subjects of 
     His Majesty King Hussein, and all peace-loving people, the 
     untimely passing of this extraordinary leader, whose 
     statesmanship forever altered the stale dynamic of Arab-
     Israeli relations.
       ``In his courageous embrace of real peace with Israel, King 
     Hussein led his nation toward a new Middle East, in which 
     Arab and Jew would not only reconcile but join hands, 
     respecting each other's rights and borders and working 
     together against the ominous forces--hate, violence, greed 
     and poverty--that stalk the region. That his noble vision 
     remains only partly fulfilled is a summons to all of us to 
     redouble our efforts, together, for the cause of peace he so 
     bravely championed.
       ``In the years since the October 1994 treaty between Jordan 
     and Israel, King Hussein demonstrated in ways both grand and 
     intimate his commitment to true peace--interrupting his 
     medical treatment to help President Clinton, Prime Minister 
     Netanyahu, and Chairman Arafat conclude the Wye River 
     agreement last October; visiting the families of Israeli 
     schoolchildren murdered by a crazed Jordanian soldier two 
     years ago; eulogizing, with majestic eloquence, his `brother' 
     in the search for peace, Prime Minister Rabin.
       ``My colleagues and I were privileged to meet with His 
     Majesty from time to time, in our country and his. We will 
     cherish our own memories of his wisdom and compassion as he 
     articulated in these discussions his bold vision of 
     cooperation across the Jordan River and throughout the Middle 
     East. As we mourn this great leader, and as we strive, as 
     Americans and as Jews, for new understanding and an enduring 
     peace between Arabs and Israelis, we look forward to our 
     continuing work with the government and the people of the 
     Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
       ``We express our profound sympathy to His Majesty's family 
     and to all his people at this time of great sadness.''

  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Campbell) a member of our committee, and I ask 
unanimous consent that he be permitted to yield time to other Members.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H562]]

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, the breadth in this institution of 
respect for King Hussein is reflected by the Members across the 
political spectrum who are here.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Bonior), the minority whip, for his statement.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, people all over the world mourn the death of Jordan's 
King Hussein. He was, as my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Gilman), has just said, a man of honor, a man of wisdom, 
and beyond everything else, he was a man of peace.
  I was deeply honored to help represent this House, along with the 
gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman), at the King's funeral. It 
was a very sad, sobering, but moving experience to see the leaders of 
the world, kings and princes and presidents and prime ministers from 
every continent, small countries, large countries. It was an amazing 
collection of the most powerful people on our planet.
  The funeral procession itself, it was solemn. It was simple. But in 
its simplicity and its solemnity, it was majestic. It was not just 
presidents and kings, but it was people from everyday life who had 
traveled to Amman out of love and respect and out of sadness. Not just 
friends, but strangers, and, yes, even enemies.
  President Asad from Syria was there. And I was told it had been the 
first time that President Asad had appeared at any meeting where 
Israelis and Israeli government officials were present. The Israeli 
government and the Israeli Society sent a broad spectrum of 
individuals. All their candidates for the prime minister's job were 
there as well as religious leaders and others who had played an 
important role in the history between these two countries.
  In death, as in life, King Hussein brought people together. He was an 
extraordinary man. Like all of us, he made mistakes, but he learned 
from them. He grew as a man and as a leader. It was one of the most 
interesting and moving parts of his reign to watch him grow from a 
young man, not a boy, but a young man of 17 who took the thrown and 
matured in a most amazing way to understand and grasp the meaning and 
the power of peace. It takes more courage to make peace than war.
  Writing of King Hussein and the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, 
Tom Friedman of the New York Times wrote, and I quote, ``There is 
something about watching these graybeards standing up, breaking with 
the past, offering a handshake to a lifelong foe and saying: Enough. I 
was wrong. This war is stupid. It keeps alive the idea that anything is 
possible in politics, even in Middle East politics.''
  King Hussein inspired us all with his courage. Instead of looking 
backward with bitterness, he chose to look forward with hope and with 
possibility.
  King Hussein's death makes the peace process in the Middle East more 
challenging than ever. We ask ourselves how can such a man ever be 
replaced. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) I think said it very 
well. When the Wye Accords were floundering at the retreat in the 
eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay not many months ago, a retreat that 
was meant to breathe some life into a dying process that could have 
resulted in catastrophic consequences, not only for the countries 
involved, but for the broader world, when that process was just about 
to collapse, the President called King Hussein at the Mayo clinic in 
Rochester, New York and asked him to come. The King said ``Of course I 
will come if you think it could help.'' The President's response was 
``Of course it will help,'' because he understood and knew how much 
respect the King had among the players in this ever-flowing and ever-
ongoing struggle for peace in this region.
  So the King, dying and ill, came and spent time. Of course it was 
impossible in his presence for those that were participating to have 
walked out and to deny the work that was necessary to keep the peace 
together.
  So the question of whether or not he can be replaced or not is a good 
question. Of course he cannot. But he also showed us that one person 
can make a difference, that each of us, through our work and our lives, 
can leave the world a better place. He demonstrated that all of us can 
grow from experience and reach out to those with differences. Each of 
us must remember the example that King Hussein set and recommit 
ourselves to peace.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution in his honor. I send, again, 
my condolences to his family, to the Queen who has acquitted herself 
with so much grace and so much power and who herself has devoted her 
energies to peace, active in the campaign against land mines and other 
endeavors.
  I extend my condolences to the Queen's mother and father, very lovely 
people who I had a chance to meet and to talk with on the way over, and 
of course to the King's children and to the people of Jordan.

                              {time}  1330

  I also would like to say that I support President Clinton's call for 
assisting Jordan by helping to pay down its debt, to improve economic 
ties, and doing our part to keep the peace process moving forward.
  The King's legacy is one of tolerance and friendship and hope for 
peace. We can best honor his memory by working to make his great vision 
a reality.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I 
thank the chairman for bringing this resolution to the floor today.
  I rise as a representative of Rochester, Minnesota. And over the last 
7 to 10 years, King Hussein probably spent about as much time in my 
district in Minnesota as anywhere in the United States. And I always 
knew when he was in town because this big, beautiful airplane that he 
was so proud of was there at the Rochester Airport. Many people may not 
know it, but he was very fond of flying that Lockheed L-1011 all the 
way from Jordan to Rochester, Minnesota. We regret that, in the end, 
the procedures that were attempted to save his life were not 
successful.
  But I rise today to speak on behalf of my constituents because many 
of them got a chance to meet King Hussein and his Queen wife and the 
rest of the royal family and all the people from Jordan who came with 
him, and they were always impressive. In fact, in the last several 
years sometimes literally he and his wife would rent a little red 
Volkswagen Beetle and they would travel around southeastern Minnesota 
and many people got a chance to meet him, and everyone who did was 
impressed with his humanity and the way that he dealt with people. All 
the people who touched King Hussein were impressed by him and his 
gentleness.
  He was in many respects a dichotomy. He was a king and yet he had the 
common touch. He was trained as a warrior but he spent most of his life 
fighting for peace. He was a pilot and yet he was down-to-earth. He 
stood barely five-foot-five inches tall and yet he will be remembered 
as a giant of this century.
  We mourn his loss today. We share the pain of his family and of his 
people. We must now renew his commitment to humanity and his commitment 
to peace.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I certainly thank the very 
distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
his staff.
  Mr. Speaker, I wanted to speak to this because King Hussein's passing 
should not go unrecognized by any of us, because he made a difference 
with his life and he left a legacy that will shine brightly in the 
history books. He was a kind and gentle man but also a strong and 
courageous person. He was a leader in a part of the world and at a time 
that desperately needed strong and good leadership.
  It is said that he was very tough, but he was not ruthless. They tell 
a story of one of his political opponents who worked for years to 
undermine him, to overthrow his regime. He was jailed and prosecuted, 
of course. But when he was let out of prison, King Hussein invited him 
to his home and they sat down and had tea together and discussed their 
differences. It was that kind of toughness but goodness that sustained 
his kingdom.
  The last time I talked with him I wanted to share with my colleagues 
for

[[Page H563]]

a few moments because I think it spoke so much about the man. We went 
into a very modest house, stucco house that was in construction, 
certainly did not look palatial. And he sat down, he did not even have 
a servant at the time, and he poured his tea. And in the course of the 
conversation, he invited us to visit the palace but he said, ``Make 
sure you come during the day so you do not wake up the children.'' 
Because he and Queen Noor had visited an orphanage, and seeing the 
condition of the children, they were moved to give over their palace, 
to turn it into an orphanage.
  They did that. And when we drive up the driveway, this palatial 
driveway, we have to drive real slow because the children are running 
around in little scooters, playing, having fun. And when we walk in and 
see the way that each one of those children were being treated, it 
reflects how he wanted his people treated, with the kindness and 
gentleness and respect for all human beings that defined his 
philosophy. That is why he was so important to all of us.
  A good friend who lives in Northern Virginia, Najeeb Halaby, was the 
father-in-law of King Hussein. Mr. Halaby is the father of Queen Noor 
and the father-in-law of King Hussein. And I know that, given all the 
conflict and the chaos and the challenge that his daughter has 
confronted with her partner, that he recognizes that his daughter was 
married to a great man and that in fact, because of their leadership, 
because of their legacy, the people of Jordan will spread the message 
of human rights, respect for all people, particularly women, will in 
fact move the Middle East into an environment of peace and justice.
  That is his legacy. We thank him for it.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that for all of us, what is clear here is that 
this was no ordinary world leader. World leaders who pass on are often 
mourned in their countries and there is often some reference abroad. 
But in the case of King Hussein, his personal courage and commitment to 
his people and the peace process has I think touched people across the 
globe.
  I join my colleagues in offering condolences to his wife, Her Majesty 
Queen Noor al-Hashem; and our congratulations and pledge of support to 
His Majesty King Abdullah, the second ibn al-Hashem.
  We have a commitment in the Middle East as a country, and our 
interests and the interest of peace have been furthered by King 
Hussein's great courage, a young man who saw his grandfather 
assassinated as he stood next to him. In a Middle East coming out of 
colonial borders that continued to change and turmoil that left 
thousands in crisis and often in death, King Hussein continued a steady 
march, defending his country, trying to make his countrymen's lives 
better, and always trying to take the boldest steps for peace.
  Often I think people misunderstood his own quiet nature and did not 
understand his great strength. It is clear globally today that he has 
set an example not just for Jordan and his son who is now king or for 
the crown prince but for all of us who try to participate in public 
service.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Connecticut for yielding.
  I think it is important that we rise and acknowledge the special 
place that King Hussein had in this world along with his beloved 
people. My sympathy goes to Queen Noor and to the wonderful family of 
children and the family of Jordan, who loved this king.
  My remarks are directed to America. For it is important for us to 
realize the wisdom, the greatness, the history of those who live 
outside of our boundaries. King Hussein was a special person, small in 
stature, but took up the leadership role of a great nation in his late 
teens. This is a remarkable accomplishment and one that our young 
people should look to for the fact that he was a teenager but yet had 
the responsibility for leadership of a nation.
  The nation grew with the king. The king grew with the nation. And as 
he fought wars, he also fought for peace. Can we do any less in this 
country to know that we must protect our nation but yet be warriors for 
peace?
  I think it is important to note that in the times of King Hussein's 
most painful days, suffering from a very devastating form of cancer, he 
did not wallow in self-pity, trying to determine how he could find the 
best way to live, which he was doing, but he had a keen eye on the 
peace process and he lifted himself, as I see some of my good friends 
here, lifted himself out of his sickbed and went toward the peace 
process, the process to bring Israel and the PLO, people of this world, 
people who may have differences but who he found could have a common 
bond. This king rose to the occasion.
  And so this tribute is to recognize his spirit, his legacy, but it is 
also a personal commitment in which I hope my colleagues will join me, 
as well as the administration, as well as the American people, to 
understand that we must extend ourselves beyond our boundaries, that 
the world does include our brothers and sisters, as King Hussein 
reflected in his life and in his legacy.
  Long live his good nation, and long live the efforts of peace, and 
God bless his nation as we work together to keep his legacy ongoing.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would simply conclude the debate on our side by saying that it is 
my prayer and I think the prayer of every American that the God of 
Abraham, the God of Israel, the God of Jacob, the God of Ishmael, and 
the God of the Prophet Muhammad, will welcome into his kingdom and give 
to him the reward promised to a peacemaker, King Hussein of Jordan.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, King Hussein was a man who personified the 
dignity of public service. He will be sorely missed as a world leader 
and diplomat for world peace. Leading up to several months before his 
passing King Hussein was still leading the charge to bring peaceful 
stability to the Middle East. I would like to extend my sincere 
sympathy to the King's family. I know that his son will carry on his 
legacy.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the life of a true 
hero of the Middle East, a true patriot, a beloved leader of his 
people, friend and ally of the United States, King Hussein Ibn Talal 
al-Hashem of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  I believe it was when, at the most tender age of 15, as his 
grandfather King Abdullah was assassinated before his eyes while 
visiting the holy site of the Al Aqsa Mosque, that this future King of 
Jordan had his great strength of character forged in steel.
  Over his nearly 50-year reign as Jordan's Monarch, King Hussein met 
many challenges to his rule as a true patriot, with benevolence toward 
his own people and peoples throughout the region. He led with bold 
courage and became a visionary, and was seen often to turn away the 
wrath of his enemies with a gentle word and with compassionate but firm 
resolve even in the midst of turmoil while facing grave danger.
  There was none before him so steeped in the knowledge of the history, 
the culture, the religion, or the traditions of all contenders for 
power in the region, both Jewish and Muslim. King Hussein always 
understood perfectly that their roots were inextricably intertwined in 
the fertile and historic soil of the Middle East. He met the challenges 
presented to him with concern for others, but first and foremost was 
his deep and abiding allegiance to the sovereignty of the Hashemite 
Kingdom of Jordan.
  The friendship he offered to the United States was founded upon his 
total respect for us as a Nation who shared his own values.
  One of his greatest legacies is the significant contribution he made, 
right up to his death, to peace and security in the region. We 
witnessed his enduring personal courage as he left his treatment behind 
at the Mayo Clinic to hasten to the side of the President at Wye River 
Plantation to help the United States keep that negotiation of peace 
between Israel and Palestine on track.
  It is for this reason, and so many other instances, that King Hussein 
would wish that every one of us acknowledge how vitally important it is 
for us to take immediate steps to strengthen the relations that exist 
between us in Jordan and throughout the Middle East, so that all our 
peoples may benefit from them.
  King Hussein chose to reject violence, because it was just such 
violence that propelled

[[Page H564]]

him into power. With the world watching, he bravely chose to reject 
violence and to embrace peace, and in 1994 showed remarkable courage 
when Jordan became only the second Arab country to sign a peace 
agreement with Israel.
  King Hussein rejected violence and embraced peace. He showed his 
compassion and deep understanding when another violent act saw the 1997 
murder of seven Israeli school girls. He rejected the violence but 
embraced peace when he traveled to Israel to visit with the families of 
the young victims and so joined in their mourning.
  He led by example to his people and to the world at large, but 
especially in the Middle East. And even as the mantle of leadership for 
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was passed from then King Abdullah to 
King Hussein, so is the mantle now passed to his son, King Abdullah Bin 
Al-Hussein.
  In memory of King Hussein's true commitment to the peace process and 
to the strong relationship we have forged with Jordan, I extend the 
hand of conciliation to his son, King Abdullah, and offer him my prayer 
for God's mercy, my support and my friendship as he strives to ensure 
that his Father's dream of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East 
becomes a reality.
  His Majesty King Abdullah, the eldest son appointed by King Hussein 
before his death, received his education in England and in America, and 
prior to his appointment served as the Commander of the Royal Jordanian 
Special Forces where he honed his leadership skills.
  The Appointment of the Crown Prince to succeed King Hussein will 
bring a continuity of his vision for Jordan, and for Peace in the 
Middle East, and I am confident this includes King Abdullah's 
commitment to the Jordan-Israel treaty of peace.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important 
resolution honoring the life of King Hussein of Jordan.
  King Hussein will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of the 
late twentieth century. His stature, his courage, and his determination 
made him an international force that far surpassed the size of his tiny 
country.
  Most of all, King Hussein will be remembered as a peacemaker. Over 
the four decades he led the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Hussein 
transformed himself from a teenager given the reins of a country at war 
with its neighbors, to a seasoned and benevolent statesman who saw the 
cause of peace as his destiny.
  Hussein showed the world that you can live in a dangerous and war-
infested neighborhood, and still battle first and foremost for peace. 
He sought peace with Israel and he facilitated peace between the 
Israelis and the Palestinians at the same time that he fought off a 
never-ending string of coup and assassination attempts at home. He saw 
his good friend, Yitzhak Rabin, cut down by the enemies of peace. 
Still, he vowed to press on, touching us all with his poignant eulogy 
to the fallen Prime Minister. His words at the Rabin funeral were a 
call to action: ``Let's not keep silent. Let our voices rise high to 
speak of our commitment to peace for all times to come, and let us tell 
those who live in darkness who are the enemies of life, and through 
faith and religion and the teachings of our one God, this is where we 
stand.''
  And he was so committed to peace that he took time from his battle 
with cancer to help broker the Israeli-Prime peace accords at the Wye 
River Plantation last fall.
  Our thoughts go out today to King Hussein's family and to the people 
of Jordan. I had the pleasure of meeting King Abdullah last year, and I 
know that the Jordanian people are in good hands. King Hussein left 
behind a strong governmental system and an able heir.
  King Hussein once said that he wanted to give the people of the 
Middle East ``a life free from fear, a life free from want--a life in 
peace.'' He worked tirelessly to achieve that goal, and, with our 
continued commitment to King Hussein's legacy, we will realize his 
dream.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina). Pursuant to the 
order of the House today, the previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the Senate concurrent resolution.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
  The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 420, 
nays 0, not voting 13, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 18]

                               YEAS--420

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Andrews
     Archer
     Armey
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Ballenger
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett (NE)
     Barrett (WI)
     Bartlett
     Bass
     Bateman
     Becerra
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Bliley
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Bono
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (CA)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Buyer
     Callahan
     Calvert
     Camp
     Campbell
     Canady
     Cannon
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Chenoweth
     Clay
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Coburn
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Conyers
     Cook
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
     Coyne
     Cramer
     Crane
     Crowley
     Cubin
     Cummings
     Cunningham
     Danner
     Davis (FL)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (VA)
     Deal
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     DeLay
     DeMint
     Deutsch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dickey
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Dixon
     Doggett
     Dooley
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ehrlich
     Emerson
     Engel
     English
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Evans
     Everett
     Ewing
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fletcher
     Foley
     Forbes
     Ford
     Fowler
     Frank (MA)
     Franks (NJ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Frost
     Gallegly
     Ganske
     Gejdenson
     Gephardt
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gilman
     Gonzalez
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Goodling
     Gordon
     Goss
     Graham
     Granger
     Green (TX)
     Green (WI)
     Greenwood
     Gutierrez
     Gutknecht
     Hall (OH)
     Hall (TX)
     Hansen
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Herger
     Hill (IN)
     Hill (MT)
     Hilleary
     Hilliard
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Hoeffel
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Holt
     Hooley
     Horn
     Hostettler
     Houghton
     Hoyer
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Hutchinson
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Istook
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Jenkins
     John
     Johnson (CT)
     Johnson, E.B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Kasich
     Kelly
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick
     Kind (WI)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kleczka
     Klink
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kucinich
     Kuykendall
     LaFalce
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Lantos
     Largent
     Larson
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Lazio
     Leach
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Lowey
     Lucas (KY)
     Lucas (OK)
     Luther
     Maloney (CT)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Martinez
     Mascara
     Matsui
     McCarthy (MO)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McInnis
     McIntosh
     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Menendez
     Metcalf
     Mica
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Minge
     Mink
     Moakley
     Moore
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Morella
     Murtha
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nethercutt
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nussle
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ose
     Owens
     Oxley
     Packard
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Payne
     Pease
     Pelosi
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Phelps
     Pickering
     Pickett
     Pitts
     Pombo
     Pomeroy
     Porter
     Portman
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Quinn
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Rangel
     Regula
     Reyes
     Reynolds
     Riley
     Rivers
     Rodriguez
     Roemer
     Rogan
     Rogers
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Rothman
     Roukema
     Roybal-Allard
     Royce
     Ryan (WI)
     Ryun (KS)
     Sabo
     Salmon
     Sanchez
     Sanders
     Sandlin
     Sanford
     Sawyer
     Saxton
     Scarborough
     Schaffer
     Schakowsky
     Scott
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shaw
     Shays
     Sherman
     Sherwood
     Shimkus
     Shows
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Sisisky
     Skeen
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (MI)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Souder
     Spence
     Spratt
     Stabenow
     Stark
     Stearns
     Stenholm
     Strickland
     Stump
     Stupak
     Sununu
     Sweeney
     Talent
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Tauscher
     Tauzin
     Taylor (NC)
     Terry
     Thomas
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thornberry
     Thune
     Thurman
     Tiahrt
     Tierney
     Toomey
     Towns
     Traficant
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Velazquez
     Vento
     Visclosky
     Walden
     Walsh
     Wamp
     Waters
     Watkins
     Watt (NC)
     Watts (OK)
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Weldon (PA)
     Weller
     Wexler
     Weygand
     Whitfield
     Wicker
     Wilson
     Wise
     Wolf
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Wynn
     Young (AK)
     Young (FL)

[[Page H565]]



                             NOT VOTING--13

     Barton
     Carson
     Fossella
     Gekas
     Livingston
     Lofgren
     Maloney (NY)
     Miller, George
     Mollohan
     Ortiz
     Paul
     Rush
     Taylor (MS)

                              {time}  1405

  So the Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Stated for:
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I was unavoidably detained and 
was not here for rollcall vote No. 18, S. Con. Res. 7, honoring the 
life and legacy of King Hussein. I would like to enter for the Record, 
that should I have been present for the floor vote I would have voted 
``yes'' on agreeing to this resolution.

                          ____________________