William Helms: “among the steady stream of foreign heads of state visiting the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, King Hussein was…”

“among the steady stream of foreign heads of state visiting the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, King Hussein was always given a special welcome. He was instinctively a friend possessing a unique combination of grace and good humor. I therefore view his death as a personal loss. I recall one occasion when members of our committee were gathered around the large oval table enjoying the King's jovial good humor. Queen Noor was present on that occasion. As His Majesty traded comments with the senators around him, it occurred to me that Queen Noor had perhaps not been properly welcomed. So I asked the King if he could identify the most significant 20th century export to his country. He obviously pondered the question with uncertainty, so we identified the ``export''--Queen Noor. He laughed heartily and replied: ``I'm not about to disagree with that!'' This great man, great leader, and faithful friend of the United States presided over his country at a time fraught with peril, beset with almost constant threats both internal and external. Yet throughout his long reign he met the challenges of leadership with grace and courage. Without King Hussein, there would not today be even the limited peace the Middle East now enjoys. He will be sorely missed, certainly by me. I wish godspeed to his son and successor, Abdullah bin Hussein.”