[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4371-S4372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ISRAEL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, on April 30th the people of Israel 
celebrated their nation's fiftieth anniversary and people around the 
world commemorated the realization of a dream of a Jewish state first 
envisioned by Theodor Herzl in 1897. Today, with characteristic 
courage, intelligence and determination, Israelis face the many 
challenges that lie ahead.
  With the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the ethnic violence 
that has rocked parts of Europe and Africa,

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the term ``nation building'' has taken on new significance as we near 
the end of the millennium. National borders that were static during the 
Cold War have changed and in some countries the institutions necessary 
for a functioning government have crumbled. We need only look as far as 
Israel to realize what can be accomplished with a vision and the will 
to fulfill it.
  In 1948, 600,000 Jews emerged from the Holocaust to forge a nation 
committed to the ideals of democracy and the prosperity of its people. 
Having survived the genocide that has since been burned into the 
world's collective memory, the founders of the Jewish state embarked on 
a mission to unite a people speaking over 100 languages and dispersed 
for 2,000 years in 140 countries. At the time it seemed like an 
impossible challenge, yet today it is a reality that represents one of 
the greatest, most breathtaking accomplishments of this century.
  The founders of Israel did not recognize the obstacles before them as 
limitations but as opportunities. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion used 
to say that a man who does not believe in miracles is not a realistic 
person. Yet, not even he imagined what could be accomplished in just 50 
years.
  Despite the toll taken by six wars and innumerable terrorist attacks, 
despite the difficulties inherent in resurrecting an ancient language 
and absorbing 2.6 million immigrants, the people of Israel have created 
a nation at the forefront of technology, industry, art and academics. 
They have created a nation that embodies democratic principles and 
practices. They have served as a staunch ally of the United States in 
the most dangerous region of the world.
  On May 15, 1948, when President Truman first declared our nation's 
support for the free state of Israel, I was eight years old. On that 
day my father sat me down and, with great emotion, told me what a 
historic event it was, how important it was to Jews around the world 
who were struggling to rebuild their lives, reaffirm their identity and 
heal their communities after years of suffering. His words rang true 
and they left a lasting impression.
  Since then I have traveled to Israel many times. I have had the 
privilege to know as friends former Prime Ministers Rabin and Perez, 
two extraordinary courageous leaders. I have seen how the Jewish people 
have never shied away from adversity, but have faced it fearlessly and 
with a commitment to overcome. But despite all they have accomplished, 
much work remains. Many of us will not be here to mark Israel's 100th 
anniversary. I fervently hope, however, that those who are here to 
celebrate will be able to recount to their own children and their 
grandchildren the events that led to a lasting peace for all the 
citizens of this small but powerful nation.
  Mr. President, I offer my congratulations to the people of Israel and 
reaffirm the bond that President Truman first established in 
1948.

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