[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2] [House] [Pages 2209-2213] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF KING HUSSEIN IBN TALAL AL-HASHEM Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order to consider Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 in the House, and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution to final adoption without intervening motion except for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by myself and by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, I call up the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 7) honoring the life and legacy of King Hussein ibn Talal al-Hashem, and ask for its immediate consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the Senate concurrent resolution. The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows: S. Con. Res. 7 Whereas King Hussein ibn Talal al-Hashem was born in Amman on November 14, 1935; Whereas he was proclaimed King of Jordan in August of 1952 at the age of 17 following the assassination of his grandfather, King Abdullah and the abdication of his father, Talal; Whereas King Hussein became the longest serving head of state in the Middle East, working with every United States President since Dwight D. Eisenhower; Whereas under King Hussein, Jordan has instituted wide- ranging democratic reforms; Whereas throughout his life, King Hussein survived multiple assassination attempts, plots to overthrow his government and attacks on Jordan, invariably meeting such attacks with fierce courage and devotion to his Kingdom and its people; Whereas despite decades of conflict with the State of Israel, King Hussein invariably maintained a dialogue with the Jewish state, and ultimately signed a full-fledged peace treaty with Israel on October 26, 1994; Whereas King Hussein has established a model for Arab- Israeli coexistence in Jordan's ties with the State of Israel, including deepening political and cultural relations, growing trade and economic ties and other major accomplishments; Whereas King Hussein contributed to the cause of peace in the Middle East with tireless energy, rising from his sick bed at the last to assist in the Wye Plantation talks between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority; Whereas King Hussein fought cancer with the same courage he displayed in tirelessly promoting and making invaluable contributions to peace in the Middle East; Whereas on February 7, 1999, King Hussein succumbed to cancer in Amman, Jordan: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the Congress-- (1) extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of King Hussein and to all the people of Jordan in this difficult time; (2) expresses admiration for King Hussein's enlightened leadership and gratitude for his support for peace throughout the Middle East; (3) expresses its support and best wishes for the new government of Jordan under King Abdullah; (4) reaffirms the United States commitment to strengthening the vital relationship between our two governments and peoples. Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of the deceased. {time} 1315 The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina). Pursuant to the order of the House today, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman). General Leave Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. Con. Res. 7. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to accompany President Clinton, former President Bush, former President Ford, and former President Carter to King Hussein's funeral as the Speaker's representative. World leaders, and there were many who attended the funeral, were all profoundly saddened by the loss on Sunday, February 7 of His Majesty, King Hussein bin Talal al-Hashem of Jordan. We are today considering S. Con. Res. 7 which honors the life and legacy of King Hussein, extending the deepest sympathies and condolences of the United States Congress to Her Majesty, Queen Noor, King Abdullah, and the entire Hashemite family, and all citizens of Jordan during this most difficult period. S. Con. Res. 7, sponsored by Majority Leader Lott, notes King Hussein's illustrious, dedicated service to the people of Jordan, and his commitment to peace throughout the Middle East, expressing our admiration for King Hussein's enlightened leadership in his pursuit of peace. It also expresses our support for the new government of Jordan under King Abdullah and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the relationship between our two nations. Mr. Speaker, King Hussein was proclaimed Jordan's monarch in 1952 at the very young age of 17 following the assassination of his grandfather, King Abdullah, and the medically required abdication of his father, Talal. King Hussein became the longest serving head of state in the Middle East and had a personal relationship with every United States President beginning with President Eisenhower. In a region rife with political intrigue, King Hussein was a true survivor, displaying pinpoint tactical ability to survive multiple assassination attempts and plots to overthrow his government. He courageously defended his kingdom and its people even when, on occasion, his decisions differed with those of our own government. King Hussein dedicated his life to bringing peace and stability to Jordan and to the entire Middle East. He succeeded through the sheer force of will, as well as his dedication, his persistence, and his vision for a brighter future. Under his leadership, Jordan matured from its beginnings as a desert kingdom to one of the leading nations of the Middle East. King Hussein instituted wide-ranging democratic reforms, and a friendship between our Nation and Jordan grew even stronger based on mutual respect and our common interests. This enduring partnership bodes well for cooperation and development in Jordan as we witness a transition to King Hussein's eldest son and heir, King Abdullah. Throughout King Hussein's reign, his search for peace was everlasting. Despite decades of conflict with Israel, King Hussein maintained secret contacts with Israeli leaders throughout [[Page 2210]] the years. Under his leadership, a historic peace treaty was signed between Jordan and Israel on October 26, 1994, which King Hussein termed his crowning achievement and which today serves as a model for Arab-Israeli co-existence. Mr. Speaker, in all probability, the Wye River Memorandum between Israel and the Palestinian Authority last October would not have been signed had it not been for King Hussein who rose from his hospital bed at the Mayo Clinic to travel to the Wye Plantation to inspire its participants. Throughout his life, King Hussein was renowned as a man of courage, of wisdom, dignity, and strength. All of us recognize the extraordinary impact that King Hussein had on the people of Jordan, on our own Nation, and upon the world. This measure before us assures the citizens of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan that the friendship, support, and assistance of our Nation will continue as part of King Hussein's legacy to its people. Mr. Speaker, one of the noblest men I have had the privilege of knowing is now destined for the ages. When the King addressed Congress after the announcement that peace with Israel had been achieved, he said, and I quote, ``The two Semitic peoples, the Arabs and the Jews, have endured bitter trials and tribulations during their journey through history.'' ``Let us resolve to end this suffering forever and to fulfill our responsibilities as leaders of our peoples, and our duty as human beings toward mankind.'' Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of us will take those words to heart and carry on the legacy that King Hussein bequeathed to us and the world. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to lend their full support to S. Con. Res. 7. Mr. Speaker, it was my solemn duty and honor to represent this House with my distinguished colleague Mr. Bonior, the Minority Whip, and Presidents Clinton, Ford, Bush, and Carter, at the funeral on Monday of His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan, a leader of vision and courage and a true friend of the United States. In the course of that funeral and from all corners of the world, there have been many fitting tributes to the man who ruled Jordan for 47 years and made his country a partner with the United States and with Israel for peace in the Middle East. One of those tributes was issued by the American Jewish Committee, an organization committed to strengthening the U.S.-Jordan relationship in the context of its support for a secure and lasting peace for Israel, containment of radical movements and regimes, and stability in a region vital to U.S. interests. I wish to call my colleagues' attention to the following statement, issued by the American Jewish Committee upon the death of King Hussein: American Jewish Committee Mourns King Hussein of Jordan, Hailing His Courageous Embrace of True Peace With Israel, New York, Feb. 5.--The American Jewish Committee today mourned the death of His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan. The organization's President, Bruce M. Ramer, and Executive Director, David A. Harris, issued the following statement: ``The American Jewish Committee mourns with the subjects of His Majesty King Hussein, and all peace-loving people, the untimely passing of this extraordinary leader, whose statesmanship forever altered the stale dynamic of Arab- Israeli relations. ``In his courageous embrace of real peace with Israel, King Hussein led his nation toward a new Middle East, in which Arab and Jew would not only reconcile but join hands, respecting each other's rights and borders and working together against the ominous forces--hate, violence, greed and poverty--that stalk the region. That his noble vision remains only partly fulfilled is a summons to all of us to redouble our efforts, together, for the cause of peace he so bravely championed. ``In the years since the October 1994 treaty between Jordan and Israel, King Hussein demonstrated in ways both grand and intimate his commitment to true peace--interrupting his medical treatment to help President Clinton, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Chairman Arafat conclude the Wye River agreement last October; visiting the families of Israeli schoolchildren murdered by a crazed Jordanian soldier two years ago; eulogizing, with majestic eloquence, his `brother' in the search for peace, Prime Minister Rabin. ``My colleagues and I were privileged to meet with His Majesty from time to time, in our country and his. We will cherish our own memories of his wisdom and compassion as he articulated in these discussions his bold vision of cooperation across the Jordan River and throughout the Middle East. As we mourn this great leader, and as we strive, as Americans and as Jews, for new understanding and an enduring peace between Arabs and Israelis, we look forward to our continuing work with the government and the people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. ``We express our profound sympathy to His Majesty's family and to all his people at this time of great sadness.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell) a member of our committee, and I ask unanimous consent that he be permitted to yield time to other Members. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, the breadth in this institution of respect for King Hussein is reflected by the Members across the political spectrum who are here. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), the minority whip, for his statement. Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, people all over the world mourn the death of Jordan's King Hussein. He was, as my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), has just said, a man of honor, a man of wisdom, and beyond everything else, he was a man of peace. I was deeply honored to help represent this House, along with the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman), at the King's funeral. It was a very sad, sobering, but moving experience to see the leaders of the world, kings and princes and presidents and prime ministers from every continent, small countries, large countries. It was an amazing collection of the most powerful people on our planet. The funeral procession itself, it was solemn. It was simple. But in its simplicity and its solemnity, it was majestic. It was not just presidents and kings, but it was people from everyday life who had traveled to Amman out of love and respect and out of sadness. Not just friends, but strangers, and, yes, even enemies. President Asad from Syria was there. And I was told it had been the first time that President Asad had appeared at any meeting where Israelis and Israeli government officials were present. The Israeli government and the Israeli Society sent a broad spectrum of individuals. All their candidates for the prime minister's job were there as well as religious leaders and others who had played an important role in the history between these two countries. In death, as in life, King Hussein brought people together. He was an extraordinary man. Like all of us, he made mistakes, but he learned from them. He grew as a man and as a leader. It was one of the most interesting and moving parts of his reign to watch him grow from a young man, not a boy, but a young man of 17 who took the thrown and matured in a most amazing way to understand and grasp the meaning and the power of peace. It takes more courage to make peace than war. Writing of King Hussein and the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Tom Friedman of the New York Times wrote, and I quote, ``There is something about watching these graybeards standing up, breaking with the past, offering a handshake to a lifelong foe and saying: Enough. I was wrong. This war is stupid. It keeps alive the idea that anything is possible in politics, even in Middle East politics.'' King Hussein inspired us all with his courage. Instead of looking backward with bitterness, he chose to look forward with hope and with possibility. King Hussein's death makes the peace process in the Middle East more challenging than ever. We ask ourselves how can such a man ever be replaced. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) I think said it very well. [[Page 2211]] When the Wye Accords were floundering at the retreat in the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay not many months ago, a retreat that was meant to breathe some life into a dying process that could have resulted in catastrophic consequences, not only for the countries involved, but for the broader world, when that process was just about to collapse, the President called King Hussein at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, New York and asked him to come. The King said ``Of course I will come if you think it could help.'' The President's response was ``Of course it will help,'' because he understood and knew how much respect the King had among the players in this ever-flowing and ever- ongoing struggle for peace in this region. So the King, dying and ill, came and spent time. Of course it was impossible in his presence for those that were participating to have walked out and to deny the work that was necessary to keep the peace together. So the question of whether or not he can be replaced or not is a good question. Of course he cannot. But he also showed us that one person can make a difference, that each of us, through our work and our lives, can leave the world a better place. He demonstrated that all of us can grow from experience and reach out to those with differences. Each of us must remember the example that King Hussein set and recommit ourselves to peace. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution in his honor. I send, again, my condolences to his family, to the Queen who has acquitted herself with so much grace and so much power and who herself has devoted her energies to peace, active in the campaign against land mines and other endeavors. I extend my condolences to the Queen's mother and father, very lovely people who I had a chance to meet and to talk with on the way over, and of course to the King's children and to the people of Jordan. {time} 1330 I also would like to say that I support President Clinton's call for assisting Jordan by helping to pay down its debt, to improve economic ties, and doing our part to keep the peace process moving forward. The King's legacy is one of tolerance and friendship and hope for peace. We can best honor his memory by working to make his great vision a reality. Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht). Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank the chairman for bringing this resolution to the floor today. I rise as a representative of Rochester, Minnesota. And over the last 7 to 10 years, King Hussein probably spent about as much time in my district in Minnesota as anywhere in the United States. And I always knew when he was in town because this big, beautiful airplane that he was so proud of was there at the Rochester Airport. Many people may not know it, but he was very fond of flying that Lockheed L-1011 all the way from Jordan to Rochester, Minnesota. We regret that, in the end, the procedures that were attempted to save his life were not successful. But I rise today to speak on behalf of my constituents because many of them got a chance to meet King Hussein and his Queen wife and the rest of the royal family and all the people from Jordan who came with him, and they were always impressive. In fact, in the last several years sometimes literally he and his wife would rent a little red Volkswagen Beetle and they would travel around southeastern Minnesota and many people got a chance to meet him, and everyone who did was impressed with his humanity and the way that he dealt with people. All the people who touched King Hussein were impressed by him and his gentleness. He was in many respects a dichotomy. He was a king and yet he had the common touch. He was trained as a warrior but he spent most of his life fighting for peace. He was a pilot and yet he was down-to-earth. He stood barely five-foot-five inches tall and yet he will be remembered as a giant of this century. We mourn his loss today. We share the pain of his family and of his people. We must now renew his commitment to humanity and his commitment to peace. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran). Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I certainly thank the very distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and his staff. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to speak to this because King Hussein's passing should not go unrecognized by any of us, because he made a difference with his life and he left a legacy that will shine brightly in the history books. He was a kind and gentle man but also a strong and courageous person. He was a leader in a part of the world and at a time that desperately needed strong and good leadership. It is said that he was very tough, but he was not ruthless. They tell a story of one of his political opponents who worked for years to undermine him, to overthrow his regime. He was jailed and prosecuted, of course. But when he was let out of prison, King Hussein invited him to his home and they sat down and had tea together and discussed their differences. It was that kind of toughness but goodness that sustained his kingdom. The last time I talked with him I wanted to share with my colleagues for a few moments because I think it spoke so much about the man. We went into a very modest house, stucco house that was in construction, certainly did not look palatial. And he sat down, he did not even have a servant at the time, and he poured his tea. And in the course of the conversation, he invited us to visit the palace but he said, ``Make sure you come during the day so you do not wake up the children.'' Because he and Queen Noor had visited an orphanage, and seeing the condition of the children, they were moved to give over their palace, to turn it into an orphanage. They did that. And when we drive up the driveway, this palatial driveway, we have to drive real slow because the children are running around in little scooters, playing, having fun. And when we walk in and see the way that each one of those children were being treated, it reflects how he wanted his people treated, with the kindness and gentleness and respect for all human beings that defined his philosophy. That is why he was so important to all of us. A good friend who lives in Northern Virginia, Najeeb Halaby, was the father-in-law of King Hussein. Mr. Halaby is the father of Queen Noor and the father-in-law of King Hussein. And I know that, given all the conflict and the chaos and the challenge that his daughter has confronted with her partner, that he recognizes that his daughter was married to a great man and that in fact, because of their leadership, because of their legacy, the people of Jordan will spread the message of human rights, respect for all people, particularly women, will in fact move the Middle East into an environment of peace and justice. That is his legacy. We thank him for it. Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I think that for all of us, what is clear here is that this was no ordinary world leader. World leaders who pass on are often mourned in their countries and there is often some reference abroad. But in the case of King Hussein, his personal courage and commitment to his people and the peace process has I think touched people across the globe. I join my colleagues in offering condolences to his wife, Her Majesty Queen Noor al-Hashem; and our congratulations and pledge of support to His Majesty King Abdullah, the second ibn al-Hashem. We have a commitment in the Middle East as a country, and our interests and the interest of peace have been furthered by King Hussein's great courage, a young man who saw his grandfather assassinated as he stood next to [[Page 2212]] him. In a Middle East coming out of colonial borders that continued to change and turmoil that left thousands in crisis and often in death, King Hussein continued a steady march, defending his country, trying to make his countrymen's lives better, and always trying to take the boldest steps for peace. Often I think people misunderstood his own quiet nature and did not understand his great strength. It is clear globally today that he has set an example not just for Jordan and his son who is now king or for the crown prince but for all of us who try to participate in public service. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for yielding. I think it is important that we rise and acknowledge the special place that King Hussein had in this world along with his beloved people. My sympathy goes to Queen Noor and to the wonderful family of children and the family of Jordan, who loved this king. My remarks are directed to America. For it is important for us to realize the wisdom, the greatness, the history of those who live outside of our boundaries. King Hussein was a special person, small in stature, but took up the leadership role of a great nation in his late teens. This is a remarkable accomplishment and one that our young people should look to for the fact that he was a teenager but yet had the responsibility for leadership of a nation. The nation grew with the king. The king grew with the nation. And as he fought wars, he also fought for peace. Can we do any less in this country to know that we must protect our nation but yet be warriors for peace? I think it is important to note that in the times of King Hussein's most painful days, suffering from a very devastating form of cancer, he did not wallow in self-pity, trying to determine how he could find the best way to live, which he was doing, but he had a keen eye on the peace process and he lifted himself, as I see some of my good friends here, lifted himself out of his sickbed and went toward the peace process, the process to bring Israel and the PLO, people of this world, people who may have differences but who he found could have a common bond. This king rose to the occasion. And so this tribute is to recognize his spirit, his legacy, but it is also a personal commitment in which I hope my colleagues will join me, as well as the administration, as well as the American people, to understand that we must extend ourselves beyond our boundaries, that the world does include our brothers and sisters, as King Hussein reflected in his life and in his legacy. Long live his good nation, and long live the efforts of peace, and God bless his nation as we work together to keep his legacy ongoing. Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would simply conclude the debate on our side by saying that it is my prayer and I think the prayer of every American that the God of Abraham, the God of Israel, the God of Jacob, the God of Ishmael, and the God of the Prophet Muhammad, will welcome into his kingdom and give to him the reward promised to a peacemaker, King Hussein of Jordan. Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, King Hussein was a man who personified the dignity of public service. He will be sorely missed as a world leader and diplomat for world peace. Leading up to several months before his passing King Hussein was still leading the charge to bring peaceful stability to the Middle East. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to the King's family. I know that his son will carry on his legacy. Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the life of a true hero of the Middle East, a true patriot, a beloved leader of his people, friend and ally of the United States, King Hussein Ibn Talal al-Hashem of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. I believe it was when, at the most tender age of 15, as his grandfather King Abdullah was assassinated before his eyes while visiting the holy site of the Al Aqsa Mosque, that this future King of Jordan had his great strength of character forged in steel. Over his nearly 50-year reign as Jordan's Monarch, King Hussein met many challenges to his rule as a true patriot, with benevolence toward his own people and peoples throughout the region. He led with bold courage and became a visionary, and was seen often to turn away the wrath of his enemies with a gentle word and with compassionate but firm resolve even in the midst of turmoil while facing grave danger. There was none before him so steeped in the knowledge of the history, the culture, the religion, or the traditions of all contenders for power in the region, both Jewish and Muslim. King Hussein always understood perfectly that their roots were inextricably intertwined in the fertile and historic soil of the Middle East. He met the challenges presented to him with concern for others, but first and foremost was his deep and abiding allegiance to the sovereignty of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The friendship he offered to the United States was founded upon his total respect for us as a Nation who shared his own values. One of his greatest legacies is the significant contribution he made, right up to his death, to peace and security in the region. We witnessed his enduring personal courage as he left his treatment behind at the Mayo Clinic to hasten to the side of the President at Wye River Plantation to help the United States keep that negotiation of peace between Israel and Palestine on track. It is for this reason, and so many other instances, that King Hussein would wish that every one of us acknowledge how vitally important it is for us to take immediate steps to strengthen the relations that exist between us in Jordan and throughout the Middle East, so that all our peoples may benefit from them. King Hussein chose to reject violence, because it was just such violence that propelled him into power. With the world watching, he bravely chose to reject violence and to embrace peace, and in 1994 showed remarkable courage when Jordan became only the second Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel. King Hussein rejected violence and embraced peace. He showed his compassion and deep understanding when another violent act saw the 1997 murder of seven Israeli school girls. He rejected the violence but embraced peace when he traveled to Israel to visit with the families of the young victims and so joined in their mourning. He led by example to his people and to the world at large, but especially in the Middle East. And even as the mantle of leadership for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was passed from then King Abdullah to King Hussein, so is the mantle now passed to his son, King Abdullah Bin Al-Hussein. In memory of King Hussein's true commitment to the peace process and to the strong relationship we have forged with Jordan, I extend the hand of conciliation to his son, King Abdullah, and offer him my prayer for God's mercy, my support and my friendship as he strives to ensure that his Father's dream of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East becomes a reality. His Majesty King Abdullah, the eldest son appointed by King Hussein before his death, received his education in England and in America, and prior to his appointment served as the Commander of the Royal Jordanian Special Forces where he honed his leadership skills. The Appointment of the Crown Prince to succeed King Hussein will bring a continuity of his vision for Jordan, and for Peace in the Middle East, and I am confident this includes King Abdullah's commitment to the Jordan-Israel treaty of peace. Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution honoring the life of King Hussein of Jordan. King Hussein will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of the late twentieth century. His stature, his courage, and his determination made him an international force that far surpassed the size of his tiny country. Most of all, King Hussein will be remembered as a peacemaker. Over the four decades he led the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Hussein transformed himself from a teenager given the reins of a country at war with its neighbors, to a seasoned and benevolent statesman who saw the cause of peace as his destiny. Hussein showed the world that you can live in a dangerous and war- infested neighborhood, and still battle first and foremost for peace. He sought peace with Israel and he facilitated peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians at the same time that he fought off a never-ending string of coup and assassination attempts at home. He saw his good friend, Yitzhak Rabin, cut down by the enemies of peace. Still, he vowed to press on, touching us all with his poignant eulogy to the [[Page 2213]] fallen Prime Minister. His words at the Rabin funeral were a call to action: ``Let's not keep silent. Let our voices rise high to speak of our commitment to peace for all times to come, and let us tell those who live in darkness who are the enemies of life, and through faith and religion and the teachings of our one God, this is where we stand.'' And he was so committed to peace that he took time from his battle with cancer to help broker the Israeli-Prime peace accords at the Wye River Plantation last fall. Our thoughts go out today to King Hussein's family and to the people of Jordan. I had the pleasure of meeting King Abdullah last year, and I know that the Jordanian people are in good hands. King Hussein left behind a strong governmental system and an able heir. King Hussein once said that he wanted to give the people of the Middle East ``a life free from fear, a life free from want--a life in peace.'' He worked tirelessly to achieve that goal, and, with our continued commitment to King Hussein's legacy, we will realize his dream. Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina). Pursuant to the order of the House today, the previous question is ordered. The question is on the Senate concurrent resolution. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present. The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 420, nays 0, not voting 13, as follows: [Roll No. 18] YEAS--420 Abercrombie Ackerman Aderholt Allen Andrews Archer Armey Bachus Baird Baker Baldacci Baldwin Ballenger Barcia Barr Barrett (NE) Barrett (WI) Bartlett Bass Bateman Becerra Bentsen Bereuter Berkley Berman Berry Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Bishop Blagojevich Bliley Blumenauer Blunt Boehlert Boehner Bonilla Bonior Bono Borski Boswell Boucher Boyd Brady (PA) Brady (TX) Brown (CA) Brown (FL) Brown (OH) Bryant Burr Burton Buyer Callahan Calvert Camp Campbell Canady Cannon Capps Capuano Cardin Castle Chabot Chambliss Chenoweth Clay Clayton Clement Clyburn Coble Coburn Collins Combest Condit Conyers Cook Cooksey Costello Cox Coyne Cramer Crane Crowley Cubin Cummings Cunningham Danner Davis (FL) Davis (IL) Davis (VA) Deal DeFazio DeGette Delahunt DeLauro DeLay DeMint Deutsch Diaz-Balart Dickey Dicks Dingell Dixon Doggett Dooley Doolittle Doyle Dreier Duncan Dunn Edwards Ehlers Ehrlich Emerson Engel English Eshoo Etheridge Evans Everett Ewing Farr Fattah Filner Fletcher Foley Forbes Ford Fowler Frank (MA) Franks (NJ) Frelinghuysen Frost Gallegly Ganske Gejdenson Gephardt Gibbons Gilchrest Gillmor Gilman Gonzalez Goode Goodlatte Goodling Gordon Goss Graham Granger Green (TX) Green (WI) Greenwood Gutierrez Gutknecht Hall (OH) Hall (TX) Hansen Hastings (FL) Hastings (WA) Hayes Hayworth Hefley Herger Hill (IN) Hill (MT) Hilleary Hilliard Hinchey Hinojosa Hobson Hoeffel Hoekstra Holden Holt Hooley Horn Hostettler Houghton Hoyer Hulshof Hunter Hutchinson Hyde Inslee Istook Jackson (IL) Jackson-Lee (TX) Jefferson Jenkins John Johnson (CT) Johnson, E.B. Johnson, Sam Jones (NC) Jones (OH) Kanjorski Kaptur Kasich Kelly Kennedy Kildee Kilpatrick Kind (WI) King (NY) Kingston Kleczka Klink Knollenberg Kolbe Kucinich Kuykendall LaFalce LaHood Lampson Lantos Largent Larson Latham LaTourette Lazio Leach Lee Levin Lewis (CA) Lewis (GA) Lewis (KY) Linder Lipinski LoBiondo Lowey Lucas (KY) Lucas (OK) Luther Maloney (CT) Manzullo Markey Martinez Mascara Matsui McCarthy (MO) McCarthy (NY) McCollum McCrery McDermott McGovern McHugh McInnis McIntosh McIntyre McKeon McKinney McNulty Meehan Meek (FL) Meeks (NY) Menendez Metcalf Mica Millender-McDonald Miller (FL) Miller, Gary Minge Mink Moakley Moore Moran (KS) Moran (VA) Morella Murtha Myrick Nadler Napolitano Neal Nethercutt Ney Northup Norwood Nussle Oberstar Obey Olver Ose Owens Oxley Packard Pallone Pascrell Pastor Payne Pease Pelosi Peterson (MN) Peterson (PA) Petri Phelps Pickering Pickett Pitts Pombo Pomeroy Porter Portman Price (NC) Pryce (OH) Quinn Radanovich Rahall Ramstad Rangel Regula Reyes Reynolds Riley Rivers Rodriguez Roemer Rogan Rogers Rohrabacher Ros-Lehtinen Rothman Roukema Roybal-Allard Royce Ryan (WI) Ryun (KS) Sabo Salmon Sanchez Sanders Sandlin Sanford Sawyer Saxton Scarborough Schaffer Schakowsky Scott Sensenbrenner Serrano Sessions Shadegg Shaw Shays Sherman Sherwood Shimkus Shows Shuster Simpson Sisisky Skeen Skelton Slaughter Smith (MI) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smith (WA) Snyder Souder Spence Spratt Stabenow Stark Stearns Stenholm Strickland Stump Stupak Sununu Sweeney Talent Tancredo Tanner Tauscher Tauzin Taylor (NC) Terry Thomas Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Thornberry Thune Thurman Tiahrt Tierney Toomey Towns Traficant Turner Udall (CO) Udall (NM) Upton Velazquez Vento Visclosky Walden Walsh Wamp Waters Watkins Watt (NC) Watts (OK) Waxman Weiner Weldon (FL) Weldon (PA) Weller Wexler Weygand Whitfield Wicker Wilson Wise Wolf Woolsey Wu Wynn Young (AK) Young (FL) NOT VOTING--13 Barton Carson Fossella Gekas Livingston Lofgren Maloney (NY) Miller, George Mollohan Ortiz Paul Rush Taylor (MS) {time} 1405 So the Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Stated for: Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I was unavoidably detained and was not here for rollcall vote No. 18, S. Con. Res. 7, honoring the life and legacy of King Hussein. I would like to enter for the Record, that should I have been present for the floor vote I would have voted ``yes'' on agreeing to this resolution. ____________________