[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6504-S6505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AMERICA-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE CELEBRATES ISRAEL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise to inform the Senate of a 
celebration being held later this evening in New York's historic Gracie 
Mansion. New York City's Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and his wife Donna 
Hanover will be joining the America-Israel Friendship League and the 
Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in hosting a gala dinner 
celebrating the State of Israel's Golden Jubilee. It is most 
appropriate that the city with the largest Jewish population in the 
world is hosting this official celebration of Israel's fiftieth 
anniversary.
  The members of the Senate are familiar with the important work of the 
America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL), a national, non-sectarian 
organization committed to maintaining and strengthening the historic, 
mutually supportive relationship between the peoples of the United 
States and Israel. Founded in 1971, the AIFL's activities generate bi-
partisan support in reaching out to our citizens of all faiths and 
ethnic backgrounds in an effort to educate Americans and Israelis about 
the common interests they share. With a membership and leadership 
comprised of political, religious, labor, business, and community 
activists of all faiths, the diversity of the AIFL's membership makes 
its efforts even more extraordinary. The distinguished publisher 
Mortimer Zuckerman currently serves as the League's president, one of 
New York's leading attorneys Kenneth Bialkin serves as chairman of the 
board, and the talented Ilana Artman is the League's executive vice 
president.
  As a non-sectarian, people-to-people organization, the AIFL is 
devoted to fostering cultural and economic ties between the United 
States and Israel and to strengthening the unique friendship between 
our country and the only democracy in the entire history of the Middle 
East. Throughout Israel's first half century. the people of Israel have 
struggled to survive in a hostile region. Enduring five wars, they have 
most recently embarked on an historic journey in search of peace.
  The United States' support for Israel is grounded in an appreciation 
of the shared values and principles that are at the foundation of 
American and Israeli societies. Israel is the only country in the 
Middle East that, like the United States, is founded on the rights and 
privileges that guarantee a free society: elected government; freedom 
of speech; freedom of the press; an independent judiciary; and the rule 
of law. There have been just fourteen free elections in the entire 
history of the Middle East: all fourteen have been held in the State of 
Israel since 1948.
  To promote the unique friendship between these two great democracies, 
the AIFL has successfully mobilized a coalition of Americans of all 
ages and backgrounds to participate in a broad range of cultural and 
educational programs. Three of our most revered former members--Frank 
Church, Hubert Humphrey, and Jacob Javits--played major roles in 
creating the League in 1971, and I can testify to how strongly they 
believed in the League's mission and responsibilities.
  I ask that a report on tonight's dinner be printed in the Record.

[[Page S6505]]

  Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and the American-Israel Friendship League 
        Join in Major New York City 50th Anniversary Celebration

       Mayor Rudolph W. Giulinai and the American-Israel 
     Friendship League announce that a gala celebration of 
     Israel's 50th anniversary will be held at Gracie Mansion on 
     Wednesday evening, June 17, 1998.
       Mayor Giuliani, who serves with Edgar Bronfman as co-chair 
     of New York City's Official Host Committee for Israel's 
     Fiftieth Birthday, has agreed to open his home for a gala 
     dinner marking 50 years of US-Israel friendship and joint 
     achievements. The evening's guests will include leaders of 
     the US and Israeli governments; faith communities; industry 
     and community organizations.
       ``I am particularly proud to host this special event, in 
     celebration of Israel's historic 50th Anniversary and in 
     commemoration of our shared traditions of democracy,'' said 
     Mayor Giuliani. ``This exciting gala will be an important 
     part of New York City's celebration of Israel's important 
     milestone birthday.''
       The dinner will celebrate Israel's accomplishments and will 
     recognize and honor US and Israeli individuals, organizations 
     and companies for their joint achievements. The United States 
     and Israel have a long record of cooperation on strategic, 
     scientific research, economic development and education 
     projects. These initiatives have generated remarkable 
     breakthroughs and have had a major impact on medical 
     research, international communications, agriculture, computer 
     and high technology, and many other areas.
       ``It will be an exciting evening'' said Mortimer B. 
     Zuckerman, Publisher of the New York Daily News and President 
     of the American-Israel Friendship League. ``The Gracie 
     Mansion gala will bring together a cross section of society, 
     people of all parties and stripes, from both sides of the 
     ocean, coming together in New York City in celebration of the 
     strength of US-Israel friendship and cooperation.''
       ``The dinner will be a festive occasion with an important 
     message,'' said Kenneth J. Bialkin, Partner of the law firm 
     Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and chairman of the 
     AIFL's Board of Directors. ``It will highlight the mutual 
     benefits to both the United States and Israel of our close, 
     long-standing relationship. It is an association based on 
     common values, on shared interests and on genuine friendship 
     between our two peoples.''
       The American-Israel Friendship League is a national, non-
     sectarian organization committed to maintaining and 
     strengthening the historic bonds between the people of the 
     United States and Israel. Founded in 1971, the League's 
     activities generate bi-partisan support in reaching out to 
     all faiths, ethnic backgrounds, all age groups and political 
     persuasions in an effort to educate Americans and Israelis 
     about the common interests that they share.

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