[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF BAN KI-MOON, 8TH SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED 
                                NATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDWARD R. ROYCE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate the 
tenure of Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations. 
His appointment and inauguration nearly ten years ago marked a historic 
achievement for the Republic of Korea.
  In his two terms in office, Secretary General Ban has advanced the 
cause of global peace through his work on economic, security, and human 
rights issues.
  He remains firmly and resolutely committed to the UN's long-term 
development goals and to helping those who suffer from international 
crises and humanitarian disasters.
  His leadership on global threats, such as the spread of infectious 
diseases, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, has 
contributed to international peace and security.
  And he has worked tirelessly to advance human rights around the 
world. Secretary General Ban has promoted women's empowerment and 
gender equality everywhere, and fought to improve human rights in North 
Korea.
  Under his tenure, the UN's Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in 
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea put together the most 
comprehensive report to date on the horrific abuses carried out by the 
Kim regime. As this report found, these abuses ``shock the conscience 
of humanity,'' and demand that we hold the regime accountable.
  Before serving as Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon served as 
South Korean Foreign Minister, where he worked towards denuclearizing 
the Korean peninsula.
  I hope that the next Secretary General will continue Secretary 
General Ban's work to advance the UN's mission of peace and prosperity 
around the world.
  As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I wish to 
recognize Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's service to the United 
Nations, to express my deep appreciation for his contributions to 
global peace and security, and to extend my sincere best wishes for his 
future endeavors. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

                          ____________________