[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 1996

  Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, on April 24, we joyously celebrated the 48th 
anniversary of the birth of the State of Israel. For more than 1,800 
years, the Jewish people would recite a prayer: ``Vesechezena Aynanu 
B'Schuvcha L'Zion'' (May we behold Your return in mercy to Zion). It is 
by the grace of God that the children of Israel were able to return to 
their ancestral homeland.
  Independence Day is celebrated as a Jewish holiday on the fifth day 
of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which is recognized on April 24 this year, 
and marks the Athchalta D'Guela, the beginning of the redemption, as 
promised by God. The struggle of the survival of Israel is a testament 
to the determination of Jewish people worldwide. Regardless of how 
difficult it has been over the last 48 years to protect and defend 
Israel, it pails in comparison to the trials and tribulations the 
Jewish people have suffered throughout history. From Moses leading the 
Jews from slavery in Egypt to surviving the tyranny of the Roman Empire 
and the ensuing diaspora to the horrors of the Holocaust, the 
perseverance and faith of the Jews is unmatched.
  Unfortunately, this last year has been another tragic test for Israel 
in its quest for peace. As Israel has tried to expand peace with its 
neighbors, starting with Egypt and spreading to Palestine and Jordan, 
we lost one of the great men of our time--Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, 
who was a true patriot and a man of everlasting honor to his nation, to 
his people, and to the rest of the world. His quest to resolve the 
disputes with Israel's neighbors and to expand peace to Syria and the 
other Arab States will be of lasting historical significance. I 
continue to miss the presence of Mr. Rabin because of his calming 
influence in the sea of trouble.
  The State of Israel has been the beacon of freedom and democracy in 
the Middle East for nearly a half a century. I am proud to see the 
peace process expand and to see Israel and the Arab States begin the 
process of building economic ties. I firmly believe once these nations 
cement their relationship through economic association, the binds of 
peace will be permanent, as long as all concerned respect the peace and 
security of the Israeli State.
  I am, therefore, pleased to join my colleagues in wishing Israel a 
warm greeting in recognition of their independence. I will always pray 
for her safety and I will continue to work to ensure that the United 
States remains its loyal ally and friend. May God continue to bless 
this nation.

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