[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E943-E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2022

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the U.K. 
Caucus of the U.S. Congress, I am grateful to recognize Queen Elizabeth 
II for her dedication and decades-long era of service to the people of 
the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and the Realms.
  On September 8, 2022, after 70 years of service to the United Kingdom 
and the Commonwealth realms, the beloved Queen Elizabeth II died at 
Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the home she cherished. Queen Elizabeth 
reigned with dignity and elegance, leading unparalleled human progress, 
and winning over the hearts of many around the world. During her reign, 
she endured as a symbol of stability and strength as the monarchy faced 
constant political, cultural, and social change. The spirit of her 
steadfast leadership and devotion to the cause of freedom will remain 
with us all.

[[Page E944]]

  During Queen Elizabeth's seven decades of service, she worked with 15 
prime ministers, from Churchill to Truss, and 14 American presidents, 
from Truman to Biden. She welcomed her responsibility to not just 
represent her country with grace and poise, but to also play a 
constitutional role in government decisions, meeting with prime 
ministers weekly in private audiences. She also valued maintaining a 
connection with her people. This included making radio broadcasts, 
establishing a social media presence, introducing the Commonwealth 
games, sponsoring 3,000 charities across the globe, and hosting her 
much adored Jubilees.
  The civilized have benefitted incredibly with British cultural and 
government influences. I have experienced firsthand from an 
appreciation in America, to Ghana, to Hong Kong, to the Caribbean 
islands of St. Vincent, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, to Bermuda, 
freedom and democracy have been enhanced.
  I especially appreciate that I grew up in the most British city of 
North America--Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1670, surviving 
the American Revolution and Civil War, until unintended mothballing by 
poverty for a century to be revived in the 1960's with restoration of 
the elegant homes of the 1700's.
  Shortly after the Queen's passing, a double rainbow appeared over 
Buckingham Palace as thousands of members of the public gathered around 
to pay their respects. Not long after, a rainbow also appeared above 
Windsor Castle and Balmoral. This was a wonderous occurrence, as 
thousands of people, looking up at the sky, reflected on the Queen who 
served them so wonderfully for most of their lives. As Winston 
Churchill once stated, ``All the film people in the world, if they had 
scoured the globe, could not have found anyone so suited to the part.'' 
I offer my sincerest condolences to friends in the United Kingdom, the 
Commonwealth, and across the world, on the passing of Queen Elizabeth 
II.

                          ____________________