[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E750-E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ADDRESS OF DEMOCRATIC LEADER NANCY PELOSI TO THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC 
                           AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call the attention of my 
colleagues to an excellent speech given a few days ago by Democratic 
Leader Nancy Pelosi, my colleague, friend and neighbor in California. 
Her address was given at the recent Conference here in Washington of 
the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an organization of 
Americans who see strong American ties with the State of Israel is a 
vital element in our nation's vital interest.
  Mr. Speaker, Leader Pelosi's position on terrorism was clear and 
unequivocal: ``There is no place in the civilized world for terrorism. 
Not now. Not ever. . . . No injustice, real or imagined, can ever 
justify, and no future can ever be built upon, the calculated slaughter 
of innocents.'' She was emphatic: ``The world must never accept in 
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Haifa what the world would not tolerate in 
London, Washington, New York, or San Francisco.'' These words must be 
the basis of our country's efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.
  Congresswoman Pelosi understands that peace cannot come through 
``lowering the threshold for the cessation of violence'' and any 
roadmap for peace in the region must, in her words ``be based on real 
change on the ground, not artificial dates on the calendar.''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to read Congresswoman 
Pelosi's excellent address.

Address of Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi to the American Israel Public 
                           Affairs Committee

       Good morning. My, how this group has grown. 
     Congratulations.
       Cissie Swig, thank you so much, first for that warm 
     introduction, but more importantly for your friendship and 
     your mentioning of me over the years and for your leadership 
     on so many issues. I cherish our friendship.
       President Amy Friedkin, a dear friend for so many years. It 
     has been wonderful to see Amy rise within your great 
     organization, from the East Bay Federation and the Northern 
     California chapter of AIPAC, all the way to become the 
     national President.
       I am thrilled that Amy is the first woman to be President 
     of AIPAC. And with president-elect Bernice Manocherian, 
     perhaps it is the beginning of a wonderful trend. I commend 
     AIPAC for breaking down another barrier and leading America 
     closer to the ideal of equality that is both our heritage and 
     our hope.
       Cissie and Amy will appreciate this story. My daughter is 
     Catholic. My son-law is Jewish. Last week, I celebrated my 
     birthday, and my grandchildren--ages four and six--called me 
     to sing Happy Birthday. And the surprise, the real gift, was 
     that they sang it in Hebrew.
       I'm so pleased to be joined by three of my colleagues-
     Congressman Howard Berman of California, Congressman Sander 
     Levin of Michigan, and Congressman Bob Matsui of California. 
     All are strong supporters of Israel. Thank you to all the 
     members of AIPAC, especially those who have traveled so far 
     from California and the Bay Area. The special relationship 
     between the United States and Israel is as strong as it is 
     because of your fidelity to that partnership and the 
     commitment of every person in this room today.
       I am honored to be here to speak about something that can 
     never be said enough: America's commitment to the safety and 
     security of the State of Israel is unwavering.
       Today, the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with 
     our courageous forces in Iraq. Americans may have had our 
     differences going into this war, but we are

[[Page E751]]

     united in support of our men and women in uniform.
       Let me also say this: I absolutely condemn the statements 
     or suggestions of those who seek to place responsibility for 
     this conflict on the American-Jewish community. The Jewish 
     community in America, like America itself, has been divided 
     on whether to fight this war at this time. Any accusations to 
     the contrary have no place in our discourse--public or 
     private.
       Today, Americans are seeing for themselves what I saw on my 
     trip to the Persian Gulf in March and my previous visits with 
     our troops at bases here at home. Our men and women in 
     uniform are focused on their mission, enduring tremendous 
     hardships, motivated by a profound love of country and 
     prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
       We pray for the swift and successful disarmament of Iraq 
     with the least possible loss of life.
       We pray that the end of this conflict will bring new hope 
     for the people of Iraq. That starts by promoting a 
     multilateral response to the potential refugee crisis along 
     with a democratic government of, by and for the people of 
     Iraq. We pray for the families who have lost a loved one. And 
     we pray for the safe return of the missing, our prisoners of 
     war, and all of our forces into the loving arms of their 
     families.
       Their noble service reminds us of our mission--to build a 
     future worthy of their sacrifice.
       That future begins with our commitment to the fundamental 
     principles to which all people in all nations are entitled--
     freedom, security, peace and prosperity.
       And in the Middle East, those principles rest upon a 
     foundation that is as enduring as it is essential--the 
     unbreakable bond of friendship between the United States of 
     America and the State of Israel.
       The United States stands with Israel because of our common 
     history--two beacons founded on the ideals of liberty and 
     justice, forged by pioneers, and fulfilled by immigrants in 
     search of a better tomorrow.
       The United States stands with Israel because of our common 
     interests--our fundamental interest in the most basic of all 
     rights: the right to exist, the right to live free from fear, 
     the right to put our children on the school bus in the 
     morning knowing they will come home safely in the afternoon.
       Let there be no doubt--the United States of America stands 
     with the State of Israel also because it is in our national 
     interests to stand with the State of Israel.
       I will never forget my first visit to Israel. From the 
     moment one lands at Ben Gurion Airport, one appreciates what 
     every Israeli knows--security is measured in miles and 
     minutes.
       From the Golan Heights, we could see Damascus just 40 miles 
     away. Today, Syria's and Iran's bankrolling of terror and the 
     development of weapons of mass destruction is a clear and 
     present danger. Today, Israelis in the north live under the 
     constant threat of Hezbollah's rockets just across the border 
     in Lebanon.
       Ben-Gurion's famous words remain true today: Israel is `a 
     small nation that has suffered much, but at the same time has 
     won for itself a special place in the history of mankind 
     because of its spirit, faith and vision.' And yet, `we have a 
     long thorny path ahead of us,' he said.
       More than a half-century later, our challenge is the same: 
     how can America and Israel together walk the long thorny path 
     and preserve Israel as a special place in the history of 
     mankind?
       First and foremost, we must be unequivocal in our words and 
     uncompromising in our deeds.
       There is no place in the civilized world for terrorism. Not 
     now. Not ever.
       Our prayers go out to the people of Israel following this 
     weekend's attack in Netanya.
       No injustice, real or imagined, can ever justify, and no 
     future can ever be built upon, the calculated slaughter of 
     innocents.
       Let there be no doubt: whether it is called Al Qaeda, 
     Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Hamas, or the Al-Aqsa Martyrs 
     Brigade, the murder of innocents is madness. It must stop. 
     And it must stop immediately.
       The world must never accept in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or 
     Haifa what the world would not tolerate in London, 
     Washington, New York or San Francisco.
       Last spring, an overwhelming majority of Congress expressed 
     our solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism and 
     in reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense.
       Second, we must ensure that Israel always has the tools and 
     resources it needs to confront its security and economic 
     challenges.
       President Truman knew this 55 years ago when Israel was 
     born, recognizing her just eleven minutes after independence. 
     President Johnson knew this when Israel fought for her 
     survival, supplying her with the tools to help win the Six 
     Day War. And President Clinton knew this when Israel was 
     ready to embrace peace--indeed, a peace of the brave--at Camp 
     David two years ago, promising to stand by her as she took 
     historic steps for peace.
       Having served on the Intelligence Committee for ten years-
     including two years as the Ranking Democrat--I have an 
     understanding of the threats facing the Israeli people. 
     Having served as the senior Democrat on the Foreign 
     Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I have always fought 
     for the vital economic and military assistance that Israel 
     needs--not only because it is in Israel's interest, but 
     because it is in America's interest.
       Last month, I called upon President Bush to respond to 
     Israel's urgent request for assistance to confront its 
     unprecedented economic and military crisis. The President 
     answered with the aid package he submitted to Congress last 
     week.
       As House Democratic Leader, I pledge to you today: 
     Democrats in Congress will be in the lead in the fight for 
     passing this emergency package--and soon. As we always have, 
     as we always will, Democrats will insist that Israel has the 
     tools it needs--both to defeat terrorism and to work toward a 
     just and lasting peace.
       Let no one ever question our unshakable commitment to the 
     security that Israel must have and the safety of the Israeli 
     people and to its qualitative military edge. Israel will 
     never stand alone, because America will never abandon Israel.
       Third, for Israel to have peace, Israel needs a partner in 
     peace. Yasser Arafat is not that partner.
       At Camp David, Israel was prepared to cede territory, 
     dismantle settlements, and recognize an independent 
     Palestinian state. And Yasser Arafat said no to peace.
       And then--even as Israel continued to negotiate and offer 
     concessions--Arafat said yes to a campaign of violence and 
     terror that continues to this day.
       President Bush's statement last June made clear that any 
     new Palestinian state requires a new Palestinian leadership. 
     I applaud that. The President's clarity was a catalyst. 
     Palestinian moderates were strengthened. Arafat was weakened. 
     And the new post of prime minister gives us guarded hope. A 
     cabinet is being assembled. And the world is watching for 
     genuine change.
       Therefore, as were many of you, as were many Democrats in 
     Congress, I was seriously concerned about the timing, tone 
     and effect of the President's statement of March 14. Indeed, 
     we should be worried when those with little sympathy for 
     Israel welcomed the President's words.
       Let there be no weakening in our resolve, no softening in 
     our stance, no lowering of the threshold for the cessation of 
     violence. Any roadmap toward peace must be based on real 
     change on the ground, not artificial dates on the calendar.
       The terror must end. The new Palestinian prime minister 
     must have the independence, the authority, and the personal 
     commitment to lead the Palestinian people in a new direction.
       The new Palestinian leadership must be open and 
     accountable. And the reconstituted Palestinian security 
     services must prevent terrorism, not promote it.
       Only then will we realize a future of security, statehood 
     and stability--security for Israelis, statehood for the 
     Palestinians, and stability for the region.
       Fourth, we must address the real source of so much of the 
     instability across the Middle East--the lack of freedom, 
     prosperity and human rights, including women's rights.
       Last year's Arab Human Development Report stated it 
     clearly: ``The wave of democracy that transformed . . . most 
     of Latin America and East Asia in the 1980s and Eastern 
     Europe and much of Central Asia in the late 1980s and early 
     1990s has barely reached the Arab states. This freedom 
     deficit undermines human development and is one of the most 
     painful manifestations of lagging political development.''
       Those words were written by dozens of leading Arab 
     intellectuals.
       If we want to achieve long-term peace and security in the 
     Middle East, we must achieve security for Israel and a future 
     for the Palestinian people. At the same time, it is clear 
     that freedom, security, peace and prosperity can strengthen 
     the hand of those in the Arab and Islamic world who want to 
     pursue a more hopeful and peaceful path.
       These ideals that we cherish can make countries plagued by 
     conflict and despair better places to live and better 
     partners in creating a safer world.
       Finally, we must raise our voices of hope, and drown out 
     the voices of hate.
       Whether in the Middle East, around the world, or in this 
     country, we must be intolerant of intolerance. No one should 
     ever fear, and no American should ever have their allegiance 
     questioned because of their faith. As we protect and defend 
     the American people against terrorism, however, we must 
     protect and defend the Constitution and the civil liberties 
     that define our democracy.
       Cissie and Amy told me there are hundreds of college 
     students here today. Allow me to speak directly to the 
     students. Thankfully, you are too young to have witnessed the 
     darkest chapters of the last century--the Nazism, communism, 
     and authoritarianism. But in your eyes I see the glow of one 
     of the brightest stars of the past century--the founding of 
     the State of Israel.
       You are the messengers to a future we will never know. It 
     is your charge to build that future in the spirit of tikkun 
     olam, the repairing of the world, in the spirit of peace and 
     security.
       On behalf of all who cherish freedom, thank you for your 
     commitment to the ideals and values that define our two 
     democracies--the United States and Israel.
       My grandchildren tell me that this week begins the month of 
     Nisan, the month of miracles, the month of deliverance. And 
     over the coming weeks, Israelis and Jews everywhere will mark 
     the miracles that have brought us to this day:
       The survivors who endured the darkness of the Shoah and who 
     braved their way to the light of Israel;

[[Page E752]]

       The heroes of Israeli independence who prevailed against 
     overwhelming odds;
       And all those who have defended Israel through decades of 
     struggle and sacrifice, including a fallen hero Americans and 
     Israelis mourned together--Space Shuttle Columbia astronaut 
     Colonel Ilan Ramon, who literally took the Torah to the 
     stars.
       This is the spirit that defines the American-Israeli 
     partnership. America stands with Israel now. America will 
     stand with Israel forever.
       We will never abandon Israel. We will never abandon Israel.
       God bless you. God bless our men and women serving on the 
     frontlines today. And God bless our special relationship 
     between the United States of America and the State of Israel.

                          ____________________