[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S17101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, although the period of official 
mourning in Israel for slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has ended, 
the time for reflection on his legacy has not. Supporters of Israel in 
America and around the world continue to ponder the incredible 
sacrifices made by Yitzhak Rabin during his relentless pursuit of peace 
in the Middle East. Many people continue to draw great personal 
strength and inspiration from the way Rabin conducted his heroic life 
until his tragic and untimely death.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following statements 
on Yitzhak Rabin by leaders of the Jewish community in my home State of 
Minnesota be included in the Record.
  Mr. Frank R. Berman: ``It is with much grief that we mourn the tragic 
assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. I had the honor of 
knowing the Prime Minister and came to hold him in the highest regard. 
He was a great leader and visionary for Israel as well as for peace-
loving people everywhere. I know that the Jewish community and all 
citizens of Minnesota join me in expressing our deeply felt condolences 
to the government and people of Israel and to his family. We pray that 
his noble goal of peace in the Middle East will be fulfilled.''
  Margo and Fred Berdass: ``We offer our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. 
Rabin and her family and to the people of Israel. We pray God give them 
the strength and wisdom to unite as a people and to overcome their 
great loss. May we all hope Israel may forge a policy all can support 
and that will lead to peace.''
  Mr. Mike Fiterman: ``Prime Minister Rabin was more than a leader 
within his country--he was more of a visionary on how to make the world 
a better place. Although he was viewed as a brilliant military 
strategist, his role in the military only befits him as really a 
champion of peace and not war. His desire was never one of victory over 
opponent, but rather a desire to bring peace and security to his 
beloved country and the Israeli people. I had the great privilege of 
attending the historic peace signing on the White House lawn between 
the people of Israel and the Palestinian people. No one watching that 
day could help but be moved by the significance of that event whether 
you were personally present or watching from places around the world. 
It was one of the most emotional events I have ever been privileged to 
witness. With all of the various speeches, I think it was Prime 
Minister Rabin's words of `enough killing, enough war' that were the 
most moving. It was not the words he spoke, but the emotion in his 
voice that spoke volumes. He spoke not only of his desire for peace, 
but also of the enormous sacrifice he personally knew was needed to 
earn a lasting peace. None of us knew that day the ultimate sacrifice 
Yitzhak Rabin would make in the name of peace for his country, his 
people and the world. The sacrifice that Yitzhak Rabin made that day on 
the White House lawn was a true exhibit for all people around the world 
that nothing could ever be more important than people living in harmony 
with one another throughout the world. He showed us if two peoples 
warring over the centuries could put down their weapons and pick up a 
pen to sign a peace agreement, it was possible for all people around 
the world to achieve peace with their neighbors. Prime Minister Rabin's 
granddaughter during the memorial service, however, remembered him for 
all of us as not a statesman or a general, but as a warm person who 
loved his family and who tried to make the world a little better for 
all of us. Yitzhak Rabin will be missed by all peace loving people and 
will be a lasting reminder to all of us that we can never stop working 
toward a goal to do whatever we can to make the world a little better 
everyday and to continue to strive to bring peace to all the people of 
the world.''

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