[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ OF THAILAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
409, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne 
of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. His Majesty King 
Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne on June 9, 1946 and is the 
longest-serving monarch in the world.
  His Majesty King Bhumibol will receive a special Human Development 
Lifetime Achievement Award from the United Nations Development Agency 
for his dedication to social justice, growth with equity, human 
security, democratic governance, and sustainability.
  During his reign, Thailand has become a constitutional democracy in 
which Thai citizens enjoy the right to change their government through 
periodic free and fair elections held on the basis of universal 
suffrage.
  His Majesty King Bhumibol has always enjoyed a special relationship 
with the United States, having been born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
where his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkla was studying medicine.
  The United States and Thailand have enjoyed over 170 years of 
friendship since the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 
1833, the first such treaty signed between the United States and any 
Asian country, and on December 30, 2003, President George W. Bush 
designated the Kingdom of Thailand as a major non-NATO ally.
  Mr. Speaker, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has proudly led the 
people of Thailand for 60 years. I rise today to offer congratulations 
to His Majesty King Bhumibol and best wishes for continued health and 
prosperity to his Majesty and the Kingdom of Thailand as we continue 
the historic friendship between the Thai and American people.

                          ____________________