[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  TRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION FOR MISSING ISRAELI SOLDIERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the International 
Coalition for Missing Israeli Soldiers and its dedicated staff. Since 
its inception seven years ago, the Coalition has been the driving force 
behind the international grassroots campaign to return Israel's missing 
soldiers to their families. The Coalition's efforts, both in the United 
States and abroad, have jarred the conscience of the international 
community on behalf of American citizen Zachary Baumel and other 
missing Israeli soldiers. The single-minded dedication of this 
organization to assisting these soldiers, who were all but forgotten by 
the international community, has thrust the issue once again onto the 
international agenda.
  In particular, Mr. Speaker, I want to note the successful lobbying 
efforts of the Coalition for legislation which I introduced in the 
Congress last year--H.R. 1175, ``a bill to Locate and Secure the 
Release of Zachary Baumel, an American Citizen, and Other Israeli 
Soldiers Missing in Action.'' Some one hundred Members of the House 
joined as cosponsors of this legislation, and ultimately the bill 
passed with the unanimous support of both the House and Senate. It was 
signed into law by President Clinton last November. I took this action 
in order to raise the priority of this issue in American foreign policy 
and to facilitate a more concerted effort to bring closure on this 
matter after eighteen frustrating years.
  Mr. Speaker, Israel is our closest ally in the region, and some years 
ago Israel played a major role in securing the release of American 
hostages being held in Lebanon. Now it is fitting that we repay this 
debt and take meaningful action on behalf of Israel's missing soldiers. 
Success in this endeavor can only strengthen American initiatives in 
the Middle East by creating an atmosphere that can make Middle East 
peace a reality.
  On June 4th of this year, Mr. Speaker, the Coalition is sponsoring 
``An Evening of Conscience'' Dinner in Jerusalem. I would like to take 
this opportunity to wish the Coalition great success at this upcoming 
event and recognize the leadership and staff of the Coalition for the 
remarkable work that has been done by Coalition Chairman Daniel Eisen, 
and the Coalition staff members: Brigitte Silverberg, Reya Eisen, 
Daniel Ehrlich, Daniel Grisarou, Gittel Davis, Gedalya Gower, and the 
Coalition's Washington representatives Alyza D. Lewin and Vicki Iseman.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere hope that Zachary Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, 
Yehuda Katz, and Ron Arad will soon be home with their families and 
that the dedicated staff of the Coalition will be able to find other 
uses for their many talents.

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