[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF YITZHAK RABIN

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, November 8, 1995

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Israeli 
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. It was with great sadness that I received 
the news of his tragic and untimely death on Saturday.
  Prime Minister Rabin had a vision of a free and democratic Israel 
living in peace with its neighbors when lesser men could not even 
imagine the existence of a Jewish State in the Middle East. Yitzhak 
Rabin fought heroically in the Israeli War of Independence in 1948. He 
continued to serve and to lead as Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense 
Forces during the victorious war of 1967. And as Defense Minister, he 
continued to lead to contribute to Israel's security not only through 
preparations for war, but also through preparations for peace.
  I had the privilege of seeing firsthand the fruits of his leadership 
in Israel. Two years ago, as a freshman Congressman, I was able to 
travel to Israel and meet Yitzhak Rabin and see the country. Not only 
was I impressed with the man, I was impressed with the Israeli people 
and their desire for peace and security.
  The next time I saw Prime Minister Rabin as last year at the historic 
ceremony which took place at the White House in which he and Yasser 
Arafat signed a historic peace accord. Without his leadership, that 
ceremony would never have occurred. With his leadership, the almost 
inconceivable peace with former enemies of Israel came closer to 
fruition.
  The peace process and the democratic stability of Israel must serve 
as a living memorial to Yitzhak Rabin. The heinous act which robbed the 
world of his presence occurred at the end of a peace rally where he was 
exhorting others to carry on and support his peace efforts. Mr. 
Speaker, we must continue to support those efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude my remarks by reading excerpts 
from Prime Minister Rabin's last public statement, read by him just 
minutes before he was brutally assassinated.

       I was a military man for 27 years. I waged war as long as 
     there was no chance for peace. I believe there is now a 
     chance for peace, a great chance, and we must take advantage 
     of it for those who are standing here, and for those who are 
     not here--and they are many. I have always believed that the 
     majority of the people want peace and are ready to take a 
     chance for peace.
       Violence erodes the basis of Israeli democracy. It should 
     be condemned and wisely expunged and isolated. It is not the 
     way of the State of Israel. There is democracy. There can be 
     disputes but the outcome will be settled by democratic 
     elections. Peace is not only in prayers--but it is the desire 
     of the Jewish people. This rally must broadcast to the 
     Israeli public, to the world Jewish public and to many in the 
     western and outside worlds that the people of Israel want 
     peace, support peace.

  Mr. Speaker, peace is the most wonderful of goals for which a man can 
give his life. Yitzhak Rabin gave his life for peace and for his 
people. He will never be forgotten.



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