[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

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                               speech of

                          HON. KEN E. BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2159) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     1998, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the fiscal year 1998 
foreign operations appropriations bill, especially the $3.1 billion in 
aid to Israel.
  Especially at this critical juncture of the peace process, the United 
States must continue to support Israel and help assure its security as 
it takes the very difficult steps needed to secure peace. Any cuts in 
foreign aid to Israel now could damage Israel's security, its 
negotiating posture, and the peace process, as well as other United 
States interests in the region. As one of the United States strongest 
allies and the only true democracy in the Middle East, Israel is 
certainly deserving of this support. This is especially true as Israel 
faces renewed threats of terrorist attacks such as those on the Mahane 
Yehunda market place on July 30, 1997 and on the Ben Yehuda pedestrian 
mall just yesterday. I condemn these cowardly attacks, which underscore 
the need for continued United States assistance and cooperation in 
ensuring Israel's security.
  I want to emphasize that foreign aid to Israel is in the United 
States' strategic and economic best interest. Israel is the most 
reliable ally of the United States in the Middle East and continued 
foreign aid funding will maintain a solid partnership with the United 
States. Because of the depth of the United States-Israel relationship 
and the permanence of Israel's democracy, the United States knows we 
can depend on Israel in a crisis. By its continued support of Israel, 
the United States honors a historic commitment to a fellow democracy 
with which we share unique security, economic, and cultural ties.
  I am especially pleased by the growing relationship between Israel 
and my State of Texas. Texas and Israel are substantial trading 
partners, sharing economic interests in telecommunications, medical 
technology, high-technology computers, and agriculture. In 1996, Texas 
exports to Israel totaled nearly $580 million in goods and services, 
which represented an 89 percent increase since 1995. With regard to 
medical technology, Israel and Texas have established many joint 
research programs. For example, the Texas-Israel Telemedicine Exchange 
has brought together the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston and the 
Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikvah in developing a telemedicine 
framework for Israel's hospitals and health care clinics. As this 
partnership continues to develop, new business opportunities will make 
the economies of Texas and Israel stronger and more competitive in the 
21st century.
  The United States has a strong national interest in bringing peace, 
stability, and economic growth to one of the most strategic and 
potentially destabilizing regions of the world. The United States can 
best achieve these goals by continuing its commitment to ensuring 
Israel's security. I urge my colleagues to continue a proud tradition 
of support for Israel and to recognize that our Nation's national 
interests will be reinforced by voting for this appropriation.

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