[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 116 (Friday, September 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S8616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND

 Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the Jewish 
National Fund as the group celebrates its 100th anniversary on October 
6, 2002. Without the efforts of the Jewish National Fund, the nation of 
Israel might very well not exist. Today, through the efforts of the 
JNF, Israel not only exists as a Jewish State, but flourishes despite 
numerous geographic and political changes.
  The Jewish National Fund was established at the Fifth Zionist 
Congress in 1901 with the express purpose of allowing Jews from around 
the world to join together and make the Zionist dream a reality. Jewish 
communities from around the world participated by collecting donations 
in signature ``Blue Boxes.'' These donations were used to purchase the 
land that would one day become the state of Israel. Jews disunited 
could not achieve their nationalist dream and create a Jewish state in 
the land of Israel, but together, through the work of the Jewish 
National Fund, they began to build a nation. JNF purchased the land, 
developed and built the infrastructure, and planted the forests that 
made the country green. I am confident that through the dedication and 
hard work of the Jewish National Fund, Israel will continue to thrive 
for the next 100 years and beyond.
  Since 1901, the Jewish National Fund has planted over 220 million 
trees, built over 120 dams and reservoirs, developed over 250,000 acres 
of land, created more than 400 parks throughout Israel and educated 
students around the world about Israel and the environment. The Jewish 
National Fund is also active in funding arid land research and has 
partnered with the USDA Forest Service and the Arizona-based 
International Arid Lands Consortium.
  This past year marked a great milestone for the Jewish National Fund. 
The group celebrated a great century and witnessed the birth of their 
dream: a thriving Jewish homeland. I wish the Jewish National Fund the 
best of luck as they embark on their second century of service.

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