Commemorating Bhutan's Participation in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival

COMMEMORATING BHUTAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL -- (House of Representatives - September 09, 2008)

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1307, a resolution commemorating Bhutan's participation in the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and commending the people and leaders of that isolated and mountainous country for their commitment to democratic reform.

Mr. Speaker, the Kingdom of Bhutan, called by its people ``the Land of the Thunder Dragon,'' is one of the most hauntingly beautiful and remarkable countries in the world.

If the diversity of its peoples, geography, and ecosystems weren't enough to make Bhutan stand out, this traditional society is also experiencing an extraordinary political evolution.

Due to the perceptive policies of its two most recent rulers, Bhutan has been transformed from one of the world's most reclusive poor countries to one of its more enlightened. The economy has grown at an average annual rate of 7 percent over the past 25 years. With huge investments in public health, life expectancy rose during the King's reign from 40 to 66. During the 1990s, the primary school enrollment rate rose by over a quarter to 72 percent.

This March, Bhutan held successful elections for the lower house of parliament. This event, which built upon the historic and peaceful elections for the upper house of parliament in December 2007, marked another positive
step in Bhutan's transition to a democratic, constitutional monarchy.

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