[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL

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                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2002

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 392, expressing 
solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism.
  The United States Congress must stand in solidarity with Israel, a 
front-line state in the war against terrorism, as it takes necessary 
steps to provide security to its people. The United States and Israel 
are engaged in a common battle against terrorist groups who threaten 
our countries. Israel must fight against terror just as the United 
States must fight and destroy al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
  At a time when much of the world turns its back on Palestinian 
terrorism and condemns Israel for exercising its right of self defense, 
the U.S. Congress must stand in solidarity with Israel. The ongoing 
wave of terror threatens the survival of Israel as a free, democratic 
and civilized society, and risks engulfing the entire Middle East in 
chaos and war. Israel also needs additional resources to meet these new 
threats, it must be able to protect its people from the threat of 
weapons of mass destruction.
  H. Res. 392 reaffirms our support for Israel's right to defend 
itself; supports additional U.S. assistance to help Israel defend 
itself; acknowledges Israel's role as a front-line state in the war 
against terrorism; condemns the campaign of suicide bombings and terror 
coordinated by Arafat and other Palestinian leaders, and demands that 
they fulfill their commitments by once and for all dismantling the 
terrorist infrastructure.
  I urge all parties in the region to pursue vigorous efforts to 
establish a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.




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