[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16328-16329]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 84TH BIRTHDAY OF HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, on behalf of myself as ranking member of 
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senator James Inhofe, the 
ranking member of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, I rise today 
to commemorate the 85th birthday anniversary of His Majesty King 
Bhumibol Adulyadej who has reigned for 66 years as King of Thailand.
  Over 50 years ago, the King, also known as Rama IX, a long-time and 
proven friend of the United States, addressed a Joint Session of 
Congress. He and the people of Thailand have partnered with the people 
of the United States in war and in peace. As noted in the recent 
Thailand-U.S. Joint Vision Statement preceding President Obama's recent 
trip to Thailand, ``. . . the Thai-U.S. defense alliance has promoted 
regional stability by fostering cooperation in areas that enables both 
nations to address shared security concerns effectively''.
  The King has been internationally recognized for his consistent 
dedication to promote the well-being of the Thai people. Among the 
awards received is the U.N. Development Program First Human Development 
Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the last 60 years the King has 
initiated thousands of development projects throughout Thailand 
addressing a wide range of challenges including public health and 
education, agricultural development and reforestation.
  Mr. President, in the Congress extensive time and effort are 
dedicated to the consideration of major challenges to the United 
States, domestically and overseas. Endless debate carries on to 
determine how to deal with leaders in those countries who do not share 
democratic values, and in fact are opposed to the United States 
actively engaging in global free trade and the promotion of our 
national security.
  Consequently, it is a pleasure and an honor on behalf of Senator 
Inhofe and myself to highlight the life of His Majesty King Bhumibol 
Adulyadej, who has been steadfast in his friendship to the American 
people. He is the longest- reigning monarch in the history of Thailand 
and currently the world's longest-reigning monarch as well.

[[Page 16329]]

  Mr. President I was pleased to recently visit Thailand and meet with 
government officials regarding Thailand's participation in the Nunn-
Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction, CTR, Program. Thailand is actively 
working to counter biological threats. Among other areas, the U.S. will 
also continue to work to help Thailand control infectious disease that 
could become the source of a pandemic or the target of terrorists 
seeking to create a biological weapon.
  In conclusion, I am grateful for the overall relationship between our 
two countries, and look forward to developments in the future which 
will bring us closer together.
 Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, December 5 marks the 85th birthday of 
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. I would like to offer 
my sincerest congratulations to His Majesty and to the people of 
Thailand as they commemorate his 66-year reign of Thailand.
  The United States and Thailand have had an extensive, close 
relationship for nearly 200 years, beginning with the Treaty of Amity 
and Cooperation in 1833. This treaty--the first U.S. treaty in Asia--
cemented the friendship between the American and Thai people. King 
Bhumibol has nurtured this relationship in line with our shared values 
of democracy and rule of law. He has been a vital supporter of a free 
and open society in Thailand and a stabilizing force in the 
government's transitions of political power. As the world's longest 
serving monarch, he has placed his commitment to the Thai people above 
all.
  I have visited Thailand many times over a span of more than 30 years. 
As chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee, I was 
fortunate to continue this close relationship, visiting Thailand 
numerous times to meet Thai leaders, and reaffirm my support for a 
strong alliance with the United States. I would like to thank King 
Bhumibol and the Thai government for the courtesies extended to me over 
the past 6 years of my service in the U.S. Senate. Going forward, I am 
confident that the U.S.-Thai alliance will continue to be a critical 
partnership in guaranteeing stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
  Mr. President, I am so pleased to join the people of Thailand in 
celebrating the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and 
extend my best wishes to His Majesty for his good health.

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