[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1706-E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE AMERICA-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the annual Partners for 
Democracy Dinner in my hometown of Tucson, AZ. The dinner was hosted by 
the Tucson chapter of the America-Israel Friendship League in honor of 
David L. McPherson.
  The America-Israel Friendship League, Inc. [AIFL] is a nonsectarian, 
nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization committed to maintaining and 
strengthening the mutually supportive relationship between the people 
of the United States and Israel. It was founded in 1971 by a group of 
distinguished Americans with a vision-to preserve America's best 
interests in the Middle East. They saw the need to instill in Americans 
an appreciation for the fact that Israel is the only democratic nation 
in the Middle East and America's most reliable ally in that area of the 
world. They knew that the friendship between these two countries could 
be deepened through the understanding generated by people-to-people 
educational and cultural programming.
  The AIFL serves as the catalyst to bring people together from diverse 
backgrounds. The AIFL's activities reach out to Americans of all 
faiths, ethnic backgrounds, age groups, and political persuasions. 
Through missions, seminars, lectures, exchanges, and much more, AIFL 
helps participants explore and discuss the issues and concerns 
surrounding the relationship between the United States and Israel. 
Program participants become involved long after their individual 
program has ended. In essence, they become ambassadors who carry the 
message of friendship and goodwill from one generation to the next. 
From their

[[Page E1707]]

experiences emerge a belief in the very real possibility of future 
peace.
  While at the dinner, I had the pleasure of listening to a speech by 
an extremely insightful, young woman, Saleela Salahuddin, on the ways 
of the Israeli people. Saleela Salahuddin was the 1995 Youth Ambassador 
to Israel. I was very moved by this speech, and I am honored to share 
it with you:

       Tonight, I bring you greetings from Maya, who was my host 
     sister in Netanya, Israel, and Roy, who was my host brother 
     in Arad, Israel. As Sabras, proud natives of Israel, they are 
     two bright youths of the admirable community of democracy 
     which defines the nation. Thanks to AIFL, I was enriched by 
     their modernism, patriotic idealism, and the optimism for the 
     future.
       ``Everyone in Israel goes there,'' said Maya. ``It's a 
     life-changing experience.'' She was talking about the Wailing 
     Wall. Less than two hours later, I was standing in front of 
     it, remembering her words and realizing how true they 
     were.
       There was a combined quality of awe and appreciation when 
     visiting the holy site on the holy day of Shabbat. I 
     approached the wall slowly, briefly pausing by a small wicker 
     basket that held many brightly colored scarves. I took one 
     out and covered my hair, following the example of a few women 
     who had gone ahead of me.
       When I laid my hand on the Wailing Wall, I felt it's 
     coolness as well as its strength. The large stones sit atop 
     one another with the assurity that defines millennia of 
     heritage. I was experiencing one of the most transforming 
     moments of my life. I realize that as an American Muslim, I 
     was undoubtedly the first person in my family of many 
     generations to be at this very sacred place. The universality 
     of it all struck me. To my right, a young woman wearing blue 
     jeans prayed; to my left, an old woman in a long black dress 
     devotedly swayed in rhythm with her reading from the Torah. 
     And there I was, standing in the middle, praying with them 
     and understanding the ``change'' that Maya had spoken of. The 
     diversity and unity of the situation, young and old, Jewish 
     and Muslim, left a very strong impact on me. I added a prayer 
     that I had written on a tiny piece of paper to the many that 
     were inserted into cracks in the ancient wall. In it, I had 
     written a message hoping for peace and democracy to prosper 
     in our world.
       This moment shall always be with me, and my message shall 
     forever remain in the Wailing Wall.
       On behalf of myself, Maya, and Roy, I bid you Shalom.

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