[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING HER MAJESTY QUEEN SIRIKIT OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Her 
Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand on her visit to the United States 
from October 4 to 16, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues in the House are undoubtedly 
aware, Thailand and the United States have been friends for almost two 
centuries. Our formal relations extend back 169 years to the signing of 
the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between our two nations on March 20, 
1833, during the Presidency of Andrew Jackson, the seventh United 
States President, and the reign of His Majesty King Phra Nang Klao, or 
King Rama III, of the Chakri Dynasty. This Treaty was the first such 
treaty that the United States had concluded with any Asian country and 
it contains a pledge to establish ``a perpetual peace'' between our two 
countries. I believe that this pledge has been honored during the long 
and happy relationship between Thailand and the United States as we 
have so often fought side by side and have made countless sacrifices 
for one another in defense of our common values. I'd also like to 
remind my colleagues that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Maharaj, 
Thailand's present King, was born some 75 years ago in Cambridge, 
Massachusetts, where His father, His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol, was 
studying at the Harvard Medical School.
  In addition to highlighting the strong ties between the United States 
and Thailand, the Queen's visit to the United States will allow also us 
to become more aware of the many charitable organizations which She has 
founded and has worked so hard to make successful. One of the more 
important of these is the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary 
Occupations and Related Techniques, or SUPPORT. SUPPORT was founded in 
1976 under Her Majesty's royal patronage and chairmanship and provides 
outlets for local wares and handicrafts from all regions of the 
Kingdom. The promotion and sales of these items provide extra income-
generating occupations for farmers who find it difficult to subsist on 
farm incomes alone. By supporting these cottage and indigenous 
industries, the Foundation also help keep alive dying arts, such as 
traditional clay ``chao wang'' dolls and tie-dye ``mud-mee'' silk. Many 
of my colleagues and I are looking forward to seeing the display of 
products and activities of the SUPPORT Foundation at the gala dinner 
which will be presided over by Her Majesty at the Jefferson Building of 
the Library of Congress on October 9.
  One of the highlights of the Queen's visit will be to preside over 
the premier of the Thai film The Legend of Suriyothai at the John F. 
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here in Washington. This 
critically acclaimed film by one of Thailand's most experienced 
film[chyph]makers, Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol, is an epic historical 
motion picture that portrays one of Thailand's foremost heroines, Queen 
Phra Suriyothai. She fought and died to protect Her husband and king's 
life and Her actions united Her people to win a war against an invading 
army in the 14th century.
  During Her visit to the United States, Queen Sirikit will also travel 
to Houston, Texas, where She will be presented with The University of 
Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Award for Humanitarian Service. This 
award will recognize Her Majesty's lifelong dedication to improving the 
health and well being of the people of Thailand and for international 
leadership in health and the environment. Former President and Mrs. 
George Bush will also host tea for Her Majesty during Her stay in 
Houston.
  Mr. Speaker, given the importance of our relationship with Thailand 
and in recognition all Queen Sirikit has done to improve the lives of 
Her subjects and people throughout the world, I rise today to welcome 
Her Majesty to the United States and to urge my colleagues in joining 
me in honoring one of the world's most respected humanitarians.

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