111th Congress, 2nd Session
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress
April 21, 1982
On this date, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress to celebrate 200 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between the United States and the Netherlands. The Queen commented on the growing nuclear arms race among the world super powers and expressed her people’s wish for arms reduction. “Nothing would seem to us more desirable than achieving a balanced, controlled reduction of arms on all sides, particularly a reduction in all those weapons that threaten to destroy civilization itself, indeed all life on this planet.” Queen Beatrix was the third member of her family to address Congress. The Queen’s mother, Queen Juliana addressed a Joint Meeting in 1952, discussing peace in the post World War II era, and her grandmother, Queen Wilhelmina addressed both the House and Senate as an invited guest in 1942 pledging her country’s intent to fight against the Nazis in Europe. Although the royals are symbolic leaders, the Dutch have never sent a non-royal to address the Congress.
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Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=287, (December 08, 2010).For Additional Information
Office of History and Preservation(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov
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Presided over by Speaker of the House Thomas (Tip) O'Neill and Vice President George H.W. Bush, Queen Beatrix addressed the House Chamber.
Image courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives Photography Office
Teaching Tip
House Legislation
Have students search the highlight dates and locate reference to any legislative document (bill, resolution, speech, etc.). Ask students to track down the document at a local depository library. Students should research the historical background of the document and make a brief presentation which includes reading all or portions of the document aloud. To locate a nearby federal depository library go to http://catalog.gpo.gov.
