[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9987]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      COMMENDING MALAYSIA & WELCOMING AMBASSADOR AWANG ADEK HUSSIN

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, on April 26, 2014, President Barack 
Obama arrived in Malaysia--the first American President to visit since 
1966. President Obama's visit to Malaysia is indicative of Prime 
Minister Najib Razak's leadership in building a nation which has become 
a pivotal player globally and regionally.
  Malaysia's growing contributions to security and prosperity cannot be 
underestimated, and I am pleased that the United States and Malaysia 
have formalized a comprehensive partnership to include trade, defense 
and maritime cooperation.
  With Malaysia set to chair ASEAN in 2015, the nation is set to propel 
itself further in the region. Malaysia has a good human rights record 
and a stable government and, given that ASEAN member countries are 
looking forward to Malaysia assuming the chair, Malaysia will be in a 
strong position to bring multilateral parties together to address very 
serious issues, including South China Sea disputes.
  As a major U.S. trading partner, Malaysia is one of 12 nations 
negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a potential trade 
agreement that is a high priority for the U.S. and Asia. Malaysia is a 
strong partner for U.S. security and economic initiatives. Malaysia 
works closely with the United States on counter-terrorism, participated 
in stabilization efforts in Afghanistan, and also supports United 
Nations' peacekeeping missions, many of which are led by America. 
Malaysia is also a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, a member of 
the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, and an advocate of 
moderation.
  I am pleased to associate myself with Malaysia, and I am proud to 
welcome Malaysia's new Ambassador to the United States. Prime Minister 
Najib personally appointed Ambassador Awang Adek Hussin ahead of 
President Obama's visit to Malaysia to bolster the U.S.-Malaysia 
partnership. Progress stalled between the two nations in the absence of 
a Malaysian ambassador to the United States since August 2013, and 
particularly when former Ambassador Jamaluddin Jarjis completed his 
term. With the presence of Ambassador Awang to fill the void left by 
Ambassador Jamaluddin Jarjis, I have every confidence relations will 
improve significantly.
  Ambassador Awang Adek Hussin holds a Ph.D. in economics from the 
University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. He has served 
as Deputy Finance Minister, Senator, Assistant Governor, and in other 
notable positions. His first son was born in the United States. He is 
married to Madam Latifah Mohd Yusof and they have five children--Abd 
Aziz, Norjasara, Ahmad Azran, Nur Ain and Nur Nadira--and one 
grandchild, Lora. Lora accompanied her grandparents for the Ambassador 
Credentialing Ceremony on May 21, 2014 in the Oval Office where 
President Obama received the credentials from His Excellency Awang Adek 
bin Hussin. Three-year old Lora won the hearts of those in attendance 
with an impromptu dance and a playful back-and-forth exchange with 
President Obama in which she exclaimed ``you rock'' while the President 
kept saying ``no, you rock.''
  Without a doubt, Ambassador Awang will carry forward the work of 
Prime Minister Najib and President Obama in pushing for greater 
economic and business ties with the United States, and I look forward 
to working closely with him as he does so. Once more, I welcome 
Ambassador Awang to the United States, and I commend Prime Minister 
Najib for his leadership in bringing about growth, development, 
investment--and a visit from the President of the United States.

                          ____________________