[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN MEMORY OF HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 2026

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the 
Congressional Qatar Caucus, I offer my sincerest condolences to the 
State of Qatar on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa 
Al Thani, Father Amir of the State of Qatar.
  Sheikh Hamad served as Amir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013 helping the 
Persian Gulf nation become increasingly diplomatic throughout the 
international community through economic, social, and cultural 
development.
  In 2013, Sheikh Hamad made the decision to abdicate his throne, 
passing leadership to his son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. After this 
transition, he became known as the Father Amir, remembered for his 
modernization efforts and lasting impact on Qatar.
  I am grateful that Qatar has invested greatly in the state of South 
Carolina and that they host the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American 
military base in the Middle East, having invested $10 billion in 
financing for its construction.

                          ____________________