[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E561-E562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF ISRAELI DAY OF INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Israeli Day of 
Independence.
  The State of Israel officially came into existence, with the end of 
the British Mandate on May 14, 1948. Israel's Independence Day is 
celebrated annually, according to the Hebrew calendar, on 5 Iyar. With 
the establishment of the State of Israel on that day in 1948, Jewish 
independence was restored. The Israeli day of independence is a 
celebration of the renewal of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel, 
the birthplace of the Jewish people. In this land, the Jewish people 
began to develop its distinctive religion and culture some 4,000 years 
ago, and there it has preserved an unbroken physical presence.

[[Page E562]]

  On this day of independence for Israel we must recognize that a 
peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and its neighbors 
will only be possible when Israelis and Palestinians recognize their 
mutual interests and take substantive steps to demonstrate their 
commitment to a solution. All parties must realize that the only vision 
for a long-term solution is for two states--Israel, Palestine--to live 
side by side in security and in peace. That will require hard choices 
and leadership by Israelis, Palestinians, and their Arab neighbors.
  For the Israelis, that means establishing secure and defensible 
borders, withdrawing from occupied areas, and recognizing the viability 
of a Palestinian state. For the Palestinians, that means not only 
renouncing terrorism but cutting ties to terrorists, halting arms 
shipments, unequivocally recognizing Israel's right to exist and 
stifling the rhetoric that encourages and glorifies the continuation of 
Palestinian terrorism against Israel.
  In spite of all of its struggles past and present Israel's cultural 
and artistic activity has flourished, blending Middle Eastern, North 
African and Western elements, as Jews arriving from all parts of the 
world brought with them the unique traditions of their own communities 
as well as aspects of the culture prevailing in the countries where 
they had lived for generations.
  When Israel celebrated its 10th anniversary, the population numbered 
over two million. During Israel's second decade (1958-68), exports 
doubled, and the GNP increased some 10 percent annually. While some 
previously imported items such as paper, tires, radios and 
refrigerators were now being manufactured locally, the most rapid 
growth took place in the newly established branches of metals, 
machinery, chemicals and electronics. Since the domestic market for 
homegrown food was fast approaching the saturation point, the 
agricultural sector began to grow a larger variety of crops for the 
food processing industry as well as fresh produce for export. A second 
deep-water port was built on the Mediterranean coast at Ashdod, in 
addition to the existing one at Haifa, to handle the increased volume 
of trade.
  Israel's foreign relations expanded have expanded steadily, as close 
ties were developed with the United States, British Commonwealth 
countries, most western European states, nearly all the countries of 
Latin America and Africa, and some in Asia. Extensive programs of 
international cooperation were initiated, as hundreds of Israeli 
physicians, engineers, teachers, agronomists, and irrigation experts 
and youth organizers shared their know-how and experience with people 
in other developing countries. Clearly this nation has come far in its 
relatively short lifetime.
  On this day of reflection let us recognize that on the eastern shore 
of the Mediterranean Sea sits a land of freedom and democracy--Israel. 
Surrounded by hostility, but a place where freedom and tolerance are 
alive today. On this day of independence for Israel, I hope all people 
of good will would join me in praying for peace in the Middle East.

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