Washington, DC- The Embassy of
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan celebrated today
two distinct historic occasions; the Tenth
Anniversary of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn
Al Hussein’s Accession to the Throne and Sixty
years of diplomatic relations with the United
States of America at a lunch reception co-hosted
by the Library of Congress.
Hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra’ad,
Jordan’s Ambassador to the United States and HRH
Princess Sarah Zeid, the celebration included
Co-Chairs of the Friends of Jordan Caucuses in
the Senate and in the House of Representatives;
Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Senator Joseph
Lieberman (I-CT), Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA)
and Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA).
“We are truly honored to be here amongst friends
of Jordan at the prestigious Library of Congress
to celebrate the passage of Ten Years of His
Majesty King Abdullah II’s extraordinary and
visionary leadership as well as the passage of
sixty years of what has become a most meaningful
friendship and partnership between Jordan and
the United States,” said Prince Zeid in
welcoming more than two hundred and fifty
guests.
In her remarks, Dr.
Mary Jane-Deeb, chief of the African and Middle
Eastern division at the Library of Congress
noted how “befitting” it is for Jordan “to
celebrate” these two momentous occasions at the
Library “which holds one of the largest
collections in the world of books, serials and
newspapers on and about Jordan” in more than
five languages.
Co-Chairs of the Friends of Jordan Caucus in the
Senate, Senator Lieberman and Senator Gregg both
congratulated Jordan for these historic events
and emphasized the U.S. commitment to not only
continue “our longstanding friendship” but to
grow it further. Both senators expressed their
admiration for King Abdullah II’s remarkable
leadership noting that the Jordan-U.S.
partnership is a solid one based on ‘shared
values, compelling interests and a shared vision
of our future.”
For his part, Congressman Adam
Schiff, co-chair of the Friends of Jordan Caucus
in the House of Representatives, announced the
resolution introduced in the House honoring the
60th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the United
States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and
the tenth anniversary of the accession to the
throne of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al
Hussein. In the resolution, sponsors of the
resolution congratulate His Majesty King
Abdullah II “on ten years of enlightened and
progressive rule;” “express its profound
admiration and gratitude for the friendship of
the Jordanian people” and “share the hope of His
Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian
people for a more peaceful Middle East.”
Also, in closing remarks,
Congressman Baird noted warmly that Jordan is
and will continue to be one of America’s “very
finest friends.”
In addition to members of the U.S. Congress, the
event was attended by officials from the U.S.
Government, the diplomatic community, members of
the media, business and policymaking communities
in Washington, DC.
