Nick Rahall: “I rise in celebration of the life of a true hero of the Middle East, a true patriot, a beloved leader of his people…”

“I rise in celebration of the life of a true hero of the Middle East, a true patriot, a beloved leader of his people, friend and ally of the United States, King Hussein Ibn Talal al-Hashem of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. I believe it was when, at the most tender age of 15, as his grandfather King Abdullah was assassinated before his eyes while visiting the holy site of the Al Aqsa Mosque, that this future King of Jordan had his great strength of character forged in steel. Over his nearly 50-year reign as Jordan's Monarch, King Hussein met many challenges to his rule as a true patriot, with benevolence toward his own people and peoples throughout the region. He led with bold courage and became a visionary, and was seen often to turn away the wrath of his enemies with a gentle word and with compassionate but firm resolve even in the midst of turmoil while facing grave danger. There was none before him so steeped in the knowledge of the history, the culture, the religion, or the traditions of all contenders for power in the region, both Jewish and Muslim. King Hussein always understood perfectly that their roots were inextricably intertwined in the fertile and historic soil of the Middle East. He met the challenges presented to him with concern for others, but first and foremost was his deep and abiding allegiance to the sovereignty of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”