[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 165 (Friday, November 6, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12544-H12546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND 
                                 JORDAN

  Mr. McMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 833) honoring the 60th anniversary of the 
establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the 
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the 10th anniversary of the accession to 
the throne of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 833

       Whereas the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan achieved 
     independence on May 25, 1946;
       Whereas the United States recognized Jordan as an 
     independent state in a White House announcement on January 
     31, 1949;
       Whereas diplomatic relations and the American Legation in 
     Jordan were established on February 18, 1949, when United 
     States diplomat Wells Stabler presented his credentials as 
     Charge d'Affaires in Amman;
       Whereas for 60 years, the United States and Jordan have 
     enjoyed a close relationship. spanning a gamut of issues from 
     the search for peace in the Middle East, the socioeconomic 
     development of the Jordanian people, and the threat to both 
     posed by al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist organizations;
       Whereas King Hussein charted a moderate path for his 
     country during his many years on the throne;
       Whereas the United States has been Jordan's strongest 
     international partner for over 50 years;
       Whereas throughout his reign, King Hussein looked for 
     opportunities to realize his dream of a more peaceful Middle 
     East by working to solve intra-Arab disputes and engaging 
     with successive Israeli Prime Ministers in the search for 
     peace;
       Whereas King Hussein and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak 
     Rabin signed the historic Jordan-Israel peace treaty in 1994, 
     ending nearly 50 years of a formal state of war between the 
     neighboring countries;
       Whereas the United States lost a close friend and a crucial 
     partner when King Hussein passed away in 1999;
       Whereas King Hussein was succeeded by his son, King 
     Abdullah II, who has continued his father's work to improve 
     the lives of the Jordanian people while also seeking to bring 
     peace to the region;

[[Page H12545]]

       Whereas in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, 
     terrorist attacks, Jordan has been an instrumental partner in 
     the fight against al Qaeda, has provided crucial assistance 
     in Iraq, and has coped with the responsibility of hosting 
     more than a half-million Iraqi refugees, a total equal to 
     roughly 10 percent of Jordan's population;
       Whereas King Abdullah II has been a leading Arab voice in 
     trying to reaffirm that, as stated in his 2004 Amman Message, 
     ``True Islam forbids wanton aggression and terrorism, [and] 
     enjoins freedom of religion, peace, justice and good-will to 
     non-Muslims.'';
       Whereas in November 2005, al Qaeda terrorists struck three 
     hotels in Amman, Jordan, killing 60 individuals--including 
     four Americans--and wounding 115, and uniting the people of 
     Jordan and the United States in grief; and
       Whereas King Abdullah II begins his second decade on the 
     Jordanian throne by redoubling his efforts for peace in the 
     region as the Jordan-United States partnership enters its 
     seventh decade: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commemorates the 60th anniversary of the close 
     relationship between the United States and the Hashemite 
     Kingdom of Jordan;
       (2) expresses its profound admiration and gratitude for the 
     friendship of the Jordanian people;
       (3) congratulates His Majesty King Abdullah II on 10 years 
     of enlightened and progressive rule; and
       (4) shares the hope of His Majesty King Abdullah II and the 
     Jordanian people for a more peaceful and free Middle East.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McMahon) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. McMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 833, which honors the 60th anniversary 
of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the United 
States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the 10th anniversary of 
the accession to the throne of His Majesty King Abdullah II. I would 
like to thank my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), 
for introducing this important measure.
  The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Speaker, is a strong ally and a 
great friend of the United States. Although our two nations have never 
been linked by a formal treaty, we have cooperated for decades on a 
variety of regional and international issues. In particular, the United 
States and Jordan have worked together to support our commitment to 
peace, stability, moderation, and modernization in the Middle East.
  With economic and military assistance, a free trade agreement, and 
close political cooperation, the United States has helped Jordan 
overcome the vulnerabilities it naturally faces as a result of its 
small size and lack of natural resources.
  Jordan's geographic position, wedged among Israel, Syria, Iraq and 
Saudi Arabia, has sometimes made it the object of the strategic designs 
of more powerful neighbors; but it has also given moderate Jordan a 
strategically critical role as a buffer among those states. And its 15-
year-old peace treaty with Israel has proven to be durable and an 
important force for regional stability.
  Jordan is a key partner in fighting international terrorism. Its 
security organizations are considered among the best informed and most 
adept in the region. For example, Jordanian intelligence reportedly 
played a role in assisting U.S. forces in killing Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 
the fugitive Jordanian terrorist mastermind who headed the al Qaeda 
organization in Iraq until his death in 2006.
  Jordan's moderate and pro-Western policies have made it at times a 
preferred target of regional terrorist groups. On November 9, 2005, 
bombings at three Western-owned hotels in Amman killed 58 people and 
seriously wounded approximately 100 others. The terrorist organization 
al Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for this act. I am certain the 
United States will continue to stand with Jordan in its fight against 
terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, in August, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted 
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Washington. In her remarks 
following their meeting, Secretary Clinton said that ``after six 
decades of relations our partnership has proved both durable and 
dynamic. We will continue to work together in areas ranging from 
assistance with education, health care, water programs, to border 
security, good governance, and regional security.'' I am proud to say, 
Mr. Speaker, that the Congress is working alongside the Obama 
administration to achieve those goals.
  King Abdullah has won the admiration of many of us for his energetic 
and hands-on style of governing and for his commonsense approach to 
regional relations. He is a true friend of the United States and a true 
voice of moderation in an increasingly treacherous region.
  I have always found King Abdullah to be a sincere and insightful 
interlocutor as well as a strong spokesman for Jordan's interests. I 
congratulate him on the 10th anniversary of his accession to the 
Jordanian throne, and I wish him many successful years ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the author of this 
resolution, Adam Schiff, along with Representatives Charles Boustany, 
Brian Baird, and Jeff Fortenberry for their leadership in directing the 
Congressional Jordanian Caucus. Such bipartisan cooperation can only 
strengthen U.S.-Jordanian bilateral relations.

  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 833, and I 
encourage all my colleagues to do likewise.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past six decades, Jordan has been a key U.S. 
ally in an unstable region where we have many vital interests and face 
many challenges. We have longstanding cooperation in a variety of 
fields, from security, to governance, to education, to health care, to 
water; and we hope that such cooperation will only increase in the 
years ahead.
  In this regard, America has had true partners in Amman. Nothing 
illustrates this more than the strength of the 1994 peace treaty that 
the late King Hussein concluded with the Jewish democratic State of 
Israel. By condemning violent extremism and by making an open and true 
peace with Israel, King Hussein set a standard by which other Arab and 
Muslim leaders should follow. In the past 15 years of peace between 
Jordan and Israel, they might not have been perfect, but they have been 
slowly building upon a foundation in which much cooperation is possible 
in the future.
  Jordan has also demonstrated to other nations the benefits of 
embracing democratic reforms and principles. Fortunately, King 
Hussein's son and successor, King Abdullah, has continued on a path for 
peace, cooperation, and reform during his past decade on the throne. 
Under an election law passed in February of 2007, the Jordanians went 
to the polls in late July of 2007 to elect for the first time the 
mayors and councils of every city and town in their country.

                              {time}  1815

  In November of 2007, Jordan held its fifth set of elections for 
Parliament since 1989. Jordan has also recognized that democracy is 
more than just elections. The Jordanian Government has taken steps to 
establish the rule of law, to build civil society, to build strong 
institutions, and to broaden political participation to meaningfully 
engage citizens from all walks of life.
  One example of this commitment was the decision by the government to 
lower the voting age from 19 to 18 and to establish mechanisms to 
ensure adequate female representation to municipal councils. In the 
most recent parliamentary elections, seven females won public office. I 
hope that these steps will lead to further reforms and to more 
political participation.
  King Abdullah, himself, has courageously spoken out and has led the 
way for reform. As King Abdullah has stated, ``We in Jordan, and many 
others

[[Page H12546]]

throughout the Middle East, are working hard to create a civic 
environment in which our people will thrive.
  ``The basic requirement is an inclusive, democratic, civil society--
one that guarantees rights, delegates responsibilities, honors merit, 
and rewards achievement.''
  Jordan has also demonstrated strong support for the fledgling 
democracy in Iraq. Last year, King Abdullah was the first Arab leader 
to visit Iraq since the establishment of democracy in that country. 
Jordan has also become the first country to appoint an Ambassador to 
Baghdad since 2005.
  Mr. Speaker, Jordan does, indeed, serve as a model for other nations 
in the region. It deserves our friendship and our encouragement, and 
its people deserve continued progress in political and economic 
reforms. Therefore, I strongly support House Resolution 833, which 
commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Jordan and the 
United States, as well as the 10th anniversary of the accession to the 
throne of King Abdullah. It also expresses our profound admiration and 
gratitude for the friendship of the people of Jordan and shares their 
hope, and that of King Abdullah's, for a more peaceful Middle East.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I 
thank my dear friend, the distinguished colleague from California (Mr. 
Schiff) for introducing it.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff).
  Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I want to thank my friend and colleague, the distinguished chairman 
from the Foreign Affairs Committee, for bringing this resolution to the 
floor. I am also grateful to the members of the committee and to others 
who have cosponsored it.
  Today, we celebrate one of America's strongest alliances in one of 
the world's most unsettled regions. For decades, the United States and 
Jordan have been friends and allies. Today, that friendship finds 
renewed expression in this resolution which commemorates the 60th 
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the 
United States and Jordan and the 10th anniversary of King Abdullah's 
accession to the throne.
  The cornerstones of that friendship are a mutual desire for peace in 
the region and a belief that the Arab and Muslim world must resist 
extremism. Jordan has been a key player in the peace process between 
Israel and the Palestinian people, a partner in the fight against al 
Qaeda, and an important part of the struggle for the soul of Islam. 
With its lengthy border with Israel and its majority Palestinian 
population, Jordan has long been a catalyst for peace in the region.
  King Hussein, the current King's father, engaged in decades of quiet 
diplomacy with Israel--an effort that bore fruit in 1994 with the 
signing of the Jordan-Israel peace treaty. King Abdullah has continued 
his father's quest for peace and has been a tireless advocate for a 
better future for all the peoples of the region.

  King Abdullah's 10 years on the throne have been shaped primarily by 
Jordan's response to the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq war, and the 
Jordanian-American partnership has been strengthened in the 8 years 
since the attacks on New York and Washington.
  Jordan has been an important ally in the fight against al Qaeda, but 
the steadfastness has carried a heavy price. Four years ago this month, 
al Qaeda terrorists struck three hotels in Amman. While the intention 
of the bombers was to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Jordan, they 
succeeded only in uniting our peoples in grief and in hardening the 
resolve of the Jordanian people to resist extremism even in the face of 
terror.
  In Iraq, Jordan has provided vital assistance to American forces 
serving there, and it has also been the host to thousands of Iraqi 
police recruits who have trained at a state-of-the-art facility outside 
Amman. As that program has wound down, Jordan has converted it for the 
training of Palestinian Authority security personnel as part of the 
security assistance program run by American General Keith Dayton. These 
Palestinian forces have been instrumental in helping to stabilize the 
West Bank and in keeping alive the hopes for a future two-state 
solution.
  Over the past few years, Jordan has been burdened by hundreds of 
thousands of refugees from Iraq. A small, water-poor nation of only 6 
million, Jordan's infrastructure and economy have been tested by the 
Iraqi refugees, with estimates of the total number generally ranging 
between 500,000 and 700,000. The influx of refugees has put enormous 
strain on the kingdom's education and health systems, and it has also 
caused widespread distortions in housing and energy prices.
  Despite the enormous burdens that these refugees have placed on 
Jordan, the government has allowed them to remain in the country even 
as the situation in Iraq has become more stable. In recent months, a 
few of the refugees have begun to return home, but the vast majority 
remains, and most observers expect them to stay in Jordan for some time 
to come.
  Especially vital has been the King's effort to reassert, on behalf of 
Muslims around the world, the true meaning and teachings of Islam. In 
2004, he issued the Amman Message--an important step in combating al 
Qaeda's attempt to hijack one of the world's great religions in the 
name of hate. While America can work to eliminate the conditions that 
give rise to extremism, we must also rely on Muslim leaders to press 
the case that al Qaeda is a perversion of Islam and not a pure form of 
the religion that values human life and peace.
  In a region roiled by conflict, characterized by poor governance and 
stifling economic mismanagement, Jordan has remained an island of 
stability and an example to its neighbors of a Middle Eastern nation 
that is seeking to create a peaceful and more prosperous life for its 
citizens even though it lacks the oil and natural gas that many of the 
other Arab States in the neighborhood enjoy.
  Much work remains to be done, but King Abdullah and other senior 
government leaders are determined to build a better society for the 
Jordanian people. For that commitment and for six decades of 
friendship, I am proud to co-Chair the Congressional Friends of Jordan 
Caucus with my colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany) and with the 
assistance of our terrific vice-Chairs, Mr. Baird and Mr. Fortenberry.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and in 
reaffirming the broad ties between the United States and Jordan and in 
congratulating King Abdullah on the progress that he has made in his 10 
years on the throne.
  Again, many thanks to Chairman Berman.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McMAHON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. McMahon) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 833, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. McMAHON. 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. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________