[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO KING HASSAN II OF MOROCCO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on July 23, His Majesty King Hassan II of 
Morocco passed away and his son, Sidi Mohammad ben Al Hassan, assumed 
the throne of Morocco.
  King Hassan II reigned over the Kingdom of Morocco for thirty-eight 
years after succeeding his father as monarch on March 3, 1961. Under 
his leadership Morocco has undergone a significant transformation. King 
Hassan fostered the evolution of a more democratic constitutional 
government, encouraged tolerance for ethnic and religious minorities in 
Morocco, and made measurable improvement in respect for human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, in the area of foreign policy, King Hassan played an 
important role personally in advancing the Middle East peace process. 
He was instrumental in bringing together leaders of Israel and the Arab 
states on a number of different occasions. It is significant that in 
September 1993 Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign 
Minister Shimon Peres stopped in Morocco to thank King Hassan on their 
return to Israel from Washington, D.C., following the signature of the 
Oslo Accords on the South Lawn of the White House.
  The relationship between Morocco and the United States has flourished 
under the leadership of King Hassan. Our association with Morocco are 
long and friendly, having begun in 1777 when Morocco was one of the 
first nations formally to recognize the Government of the United States 
of America. Ten years later, in 1787, our two countries negotiated a 
Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which was the first such treaty 
concluded by our young nation. The unique relationship of our countries 
was strengthened and deepened under the leadership of King Hassan.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues join me in extending my 
deepest condolences to the Moroccan people on the passing of King 
Hassan and also in extending to Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed ben Al 
Hassan our congratulations on his accession to the throne. I wish the 
new King well as he assumes the awesome responsibility for the welfare 
and well-being of the Moroccan people.

                          ____________________