[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16597-16598]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING THE KING OF THAILAND ON HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 7, 2012

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, on December 5, 2012, His Majesty King 
Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand celebrated his 85th birthday. I would 
like to take this opportunity to express my well wishes to him and join 
the people of Thailand in commemorating this important occasion.
  King Bhumibol acceded to the throne in Thailand on June 9, 1946. 
During his reign, Thailand has transformed into a prosperous, modern 
state, with a strong and growing economy. Thailand today boasts a 
robust agricultural sector, modernized manufacturing and services 
industries, and is increasingly becoming an influential participant in 
the global marketplace. King Bhumibol has played an instrumental 
leadership role in moving Thailand in this modernizing direction.
  King Bhumibol has used his position to advocate for causes such as 
sustainable, human-centered development. Since the early 1950s, he has 
helped Thailand modernize by working hard to address critical 
development issues facing people, particularly those living in remote, 
rural areas. He travelled to virtually all corners of the country to 
meet and learn about people's problems and work with them on solutions. 
In addition to key projects in areas, such as public health, education, 
environmental preservation, and reforestation, King Bhumibol has 
specifically been focused on improving agricultural development, 
applying scientific knowledge to initiate development projects that 
have helped improve Thailand's agricultural output, and increase the 
food security and welfare of the Thai people, thereby contributing to 
the strength of the country's agricultural exports.
  His hard work on behalf of the Thai people has not only earned him 
their love and respect, but the respect of leaders throughout the 
region and the world.
  The end of this year brings much to celebrate. As we celebrate the 
King's birthday, we look forward to next year's marking the 180th

[[Page 16598]]

anniversary of the U.S.-Thailand Treaty Alliance. Thailand was the 
United States' first friend in the region and has remained a loyal ally 
for almost 200 years. President Obama recognized the importance of this 
partnership in his visit to Thailand in November. After his audience 
with King Bhumibol, he stated that the King is ``a leader of wisdom and 
dignity who embodies the identity and unity of this nation.''
  On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we 
are pleased to congratulate our great friend His Majesty King Bhumibol 
of Thailand, and on behalf of the people of the United States of 
America wish him the happiest of 85th birthdays.

                          ____________________