[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E540-E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING 50 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES 
                         AND THE STATE OF QATAR

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 2022

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to commend 50 
years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the State 
of Qatar.
  That a country slightly smaller than Connecticut is such an important 
partner to the United States is no mere accident. Instead, this is the 
direct result of the dedication and hard work of not only Qatar's 
leaders, but its people. I would be remiss if I did not give credit to 
Qatar's leaders who have ensured spending on social programs such as 
housing, healthcare, education, and pensions. Through this commitment, 
the people of Qatar have what they need to advance their Nation.
  Qatar has also assisted the United States with our diplomatic and 
military goals in the region. In 1991, Qatar played a significant role 
in the Gulf War, particularly during the Battle of Khafji in which 
Qatari tanks engaged troops loyal to Saddam Hussein. Furthermore, Qatar 
allowed coalition troops from the United States, Canada, and France to 
operate in its territory, bolstering Operation Desert Storm. Following 
this successful arrangement, the United States and Qatar agreed upon 
the need for a Defense Cooperation Agreement. This pact, which has 
subsequently been expanded, has served as the basis for military 
collaboration for the last 30 years.
  In 1996, Qatar built Al Udeid Air Base, which now serves as the 
forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command. Al Udeid is home to the 
largest U.S. military base in the Middle East and continues to be 
supported by Qatar, with the Qatari government having provided over $8 
billion in funding for the base over the last 20 years.
  Notably, President Joe Biden met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim 
bin Hamad Al Thani, in Washington on January 31, 2022. This meeting was 
the first that President Biden had with a regional leader since he 
became president and served as a clear signal that Washington views 
Doha as an important partner in the region. This was underscored when 
the President told the Emir that the United States would nominate Qatar 
as a Major Non-NATO Ally. This status recognizes Qatar's growing 
responsibility as a strong and enduring partner in countering violent 
extremism, combating terrorism, and deterring external aggressors.
  Qatar has also been an invaluable asset on the diplomatic front. 
Qatar quietly assisted in ending the Israel-Hamas war in May 2021 and 
continues to be helpful in seeking to improve relations between 
Israelis and Palestinians.
  Without a doubt, Qatar's most significant diplomatic and humanitarian 
efforts were in the evacuation of more than 100,000 people from 
Afghanistan after the American withdrawal. Qatar was uniquely 
positioned because of its ability to speak to various parties on the 
ground and to escort people through Taliban-controlled Kabul.
  A large percentage of the new refugees were brought to Qatar, which 
arranged housing and other shelter for them as well as food, medicine, 
and other provisions. At one point, the Qatari military was providing 
over 50,000 meals per day to the newly arrived refugees. There are 
still thousands of Afghan refugees in Qatar, where they continue to 
receive much needed care and assistance.
  On September 7, 2021, only weeks after the American withdrawal from 
Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of 
State Antony Blinken flew to Doha to acknowledge the role Qatar played 
in the transit and care of evacuees from Afghanistan and to thank Qatar 
for its vital assistance. Secretary Blinken complimented Qatar's 
efforts in the evacuation saying, ``you've facilitated the safe transit 
of more than 55,000 people. That's nearly half of those who were 
evacuated in the entire evacuation from Kabul. These are massive 
numbers. And as I've said a number of times, we spend a lot of time 
back in Washington talking about numbers: the total number of evacuees, 
American citizens, and so forth. But you know better than anyone that 
behind each of these numbers is a real person, is a mother, a father, a 
sister, a brother, a son, a daughter.''

[[Page E541]]

  While the military and diplomatic cooperation over the years is 
impressive, there are so many other areas in which relations between 
our two nations have flourished over the course of the past 50 years. 
The United States and Qatar have extensive economic ties. As Qatar's 
largest foreign direct investor and its single largest source of 
imports, the United States has developed a robust trade relationship 
with Qatar, with over 120 U.S. companies operating in country. U.S. 
exports to Qatar increased by 47.7 percent from 2018 to 2019, totaling 
$6.5 billion in 2019.
  Major education ties have been developed over the course of the 
fifty-year relationship. Annually, hundreds of Qatari students study in 
the United States. In addition, six U.S. universities have branch 
campuses in Qatar's Education City complex. These include Virginia 
Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, Weill Cornell 
Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie 
Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign 
Service in Qatar, and Northwestern University.
  In short, over the course of the 50-year relationship, the United 
States and Qatar have developed military and strategic ties, cooperated 
on major diplomatic initiatives, enlarged financial and economic 
relations, and supported worthy causes and educational advancement for 
students in both countries. Significantly, although our two nations are 
in different regions of the world, with different histories and 
cultures, they have been able to forge an enduring friendship based on 
many shared values. I look forward to this relationship deepening even 
further in the next 50 years and beyond.

                          ____________________