[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 84TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, on December 5, His Majesty King Bhumibol 
Adulyadej of Thailand celebrated his 85th birthday, and this year marks 
the 66th year of his reign. I would like to mark the occasion by 
sending warm wishes to King Bhumibol and to all the people of Thailand 
as they celebrate this happy event.
  The United States and Thailand have a long, rich, and growing 
partnership that has brought tremendous benefits to the people of both 
nations. Our bilateral relationship dates back 179 years and Thailand 
is our longest-standing diplomatic partner in East Asia. Over almost 60 
years as modern treaty allies, the United States and Thailand have 
created flourishing business and cultural ties, underpinned by our 
shared values of democracy and rule of law. Our relationship has been 
cemented through our work together to face regional and global security 
challenges, often at great cost to our two peoples.
  Overseeing and guiding this has been King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His 
support for the relationship between the United States and Thailand has 
been immeasurable, and the respect with which he is regarded in 
Washington is correspondingly great.
  I send my congratulations to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to all the 
people of Thailand.

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