[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

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                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I am amazed that this Resolution 
has been placed on the calendar for a vote. All last week the 
newspapers have been reporting that the White House has been urging 
that it not be brought up. Following the trip to the Middle East by 
Secretary Colin Powell and following the recent discussions by the 
President himself with Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia real progress 
has been made. There is agreement to have a peace conference. Yasser 
Arafat was freed by the Israelis from his compound in Ramallah. Things 
have been delicately put in place for a political solution to be agreed 
to. Why would the President's own party leader want to take the chance 
of upsetting these hard won points? The answer must be that they do not 
want Peace. If they were for Peace, they would be willing to give Peace 
a chance.
  If they had to say something to indicate continuing support for 
Israel in the difficult times it faces, they could have agreed to the 
Senate Resolution 247, offered by Senator Joseph Lieberman. I would 
have voted for this resolution. It was balanced and urged all parties 
in the region to pursue vigorously efforts to establish a just, 
lasting, and comprehensive Peace in the Middle East.
  Congress should allow the President and his Secretary of State to 
work for a settlement. I object to taking up this Resolution at this 
time and therefore will vote ``Present''.

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