[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 56 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO HIS HIGHNESS SHAIKH ESSA BIN SALMAN AL-KHALIFA, THE LATE 
                      AMIR OF THE STATE OF BAHRAIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 1999

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to His Highness 
Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the late Amir of the State of 
Bahrain. On April 14th, 1999, the people of Bahrain commemorated the 
40th day of mourning for the passing of the Amir.
  His Highness Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa will be missed by his 
friends all over the world. I had the honor of meeting Shaikh Essa in 
the 1970's in a tent under the desert sky of Bahrain. Our friendship 
deepened over the years as we had the opportunity to meet and work 
together to foster a relationship of warmth and cooperation between our 
countries.
  Under his leadership, Bahrain diversified its economy and currently 
Bahrain is ranked as having the highest standard of living among the 
Arab countries according to the 1998 Human Development Report published 
by the United Nations Development Program.
  According to The Wall Street Journal and the 1999 Index of Economic 
Freedom published by the Heritage Foundation, Bahrain has held the 
status of third freest economy in the world.
  This year Bahrain is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the strong 
relationship it has with the United States and the United States Navy. 
Bahrain is a key ally of the United States and the 5th Fleet of the 
United States Navy is located in Bahrain.
  His Highness Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa supported the Middle 
East peace efforts, and I am confident that his son, His Highness 
Shaikh Hamad Bin Essa Al-Khalifa, who has succeeded his father, will 
continue his father's legacy of promoting peace and prosperity for the 
people of Bahrain.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the attached eulogy of the late Amir, given 
by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the Prime 
Minister of Bahrain, be inserted in the Record.

 His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the Prime Minister 
                        of the State of Bahrain

       ``It is a most sad occasion to stand here today over the 
     loss of the dearest and most cherished of men, the late Amir 
     H.H. Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, leader, father, and 
     dear brother. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may God 
     Almighty grant him mercy.
       With the passing of H.H. Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, 
     Bahrain and the Arab and Islamic world have lost a unique 
     leader, who pledged himself and devoted his entire life to 
     building and developing his country in all fields. He was 
     tireless in his endeavors to achieve peace and security in 
     the region and in the world. He was also a kind and gentle 
     leader, full of love and devotion for his people. He set 
     himself as an example that is hard to follow. As a leader and 
     a father, he combined wisdom with a loving heart and high 
     moral standards of decency. In dealing with his people and 
     other nations, he relied on justice and honesty. His ultimate 
     goal was cooperation and peace for all relations among 
     nations.
       H.H. Shaikh Essa's reign was an era of peace, a time of 
     building and progress, a time of development and national 
     unity. During his reign, Bahrain achieved regional and 
     international recognition in all fields--an achievement that 
     makes us all very proud. Bahrain made progress and 
     development in health, education, and housing. Our nation 
     reached a higher economic status, as well as an excellent 
     reputation of credibility abroad. Bahrain played a prominent 
     role in establishing and strengthening the Gulf Cooperation 
     Council. Under his leadership, our nation had a very positive 
     role in all Arab issues, calling for solidarity, urging the 
     removal of all matters of discord, and defending Arab rights 
     and issues. Internationally, Bahrain attained a distinguished 
     status due to the respect, trust, and friendship he 
     personally developed with leaders of the world. Those leaders 
     appreciated his great contributions in promoting world peace, 
     security, and stability and in strengthening international 
     cohesion and cooperation, as well as supporting humane values 
     and issues.
       No words can really give adequate credit to the late Amir 
     H.H. Shaikh Essa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa for his love for his 
     country and his kindness to his people. He was a sincere 
     Amir--a wise leader, an idealist in his devotion with concern 
     and care for all Arab, Islamic, and world issues. H.H. Shaikh 
     Essa shall remain a giant among men in the history of this 
     nation for his great achievements and his high morals and 
     ethics. His memory shall forever remain alive in the minds 
     and hearts of this country and his loving people.
       In this time of great sorrow for H.H. Shaikh Essa we take 
     solace in his son and successor, H.H. Shaikh Hamad Bin Essa 
     Al-Khalifa, with every confidence that he will be a fit and 
     able successor to his father. We are confident that his reign 
     shall witness further development, progress, and prosperity 
     due to his wisdom, excellent leadership capabilities, and 
     strong administrative abilities. It is our pride to exert the 
     ultmost dedication in supporting H.H. Shaikh Hamad to 
     continue the path of development which was established by the 
     beloved, great leader nationally, regionally, and 
     internationally.
       We would also like to extend our best wishes to our dear 
     son H.H. Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Bin Essa Al-Khalifa on his 
     appointment as Crown Prince--an appointment that has received 
     the full consideration and support of all.
       The proper transfer of leadership in this nation has a 
     positive impact on all, since it reflects the solidity of the 
     rule of law and all its institutions that the late Amir had 
     established. In this sad time, we would like to express our 
     sincere pride for the show of support displayed by the 
     Bahraini people, symbolizing the spirit of a single family 
     that the late leader was keen to develop. This spirit 
     reflects the cohesion between the people of Bahrain and their 
     leadership, as the late leader had wished.
       We wish to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to 
     the leaders, governments, and peoples of all brotherly and 
     friendly states for their true sentiments and their generous 
     participation with Bahrain on the sad demise of the late 
     great leader, the father, and beloved brother H.H. Shaikh 
     Essa.
       May God Almighty grant our beloved leader mercy and rest in 
     heaven. Peace and God's mercy be upon you all.''

     

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