[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H11628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZAK RABIN

  (Mr. MORAN of Virginia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month marked the 
anniversary of the death of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin. 
A true man of peace, his life was tragically cut short during a rally 
for peace in Tel Aviv.
  Yitzak Rabin was a hero dedicated to the security, the stability, and 
the success of the State of Israel who gained trust among Israelis and 
among Arabs. His strength, courage, and commitment to peace in the 
Middle East has inspired thousands. Although his dream for peace has 
not been realized, his vision has not faded from our hearts.
  I rise today to commemorate the life and achievements of this 
extraordinary statesman. May his vision inspire and endure for 
generations to come, and may we pay tribute to his legacy by continuing 
his quest for peace in the Middle East.
  Mr. Speaker, I will insert in the Record at this point Yitzak Rabin's 
last speech which he delivered the night of his assassination.

    The Last Speech--Peace Rally, Kings of Israel Square, Tel Aviv, 
                            November 4, 1995

       Allow me to say, I am also moved. I want to thank each and 
     every one of you who stood up here against violence and for 
     peace. This government, which I have the privilege to lead, 
     together with my friend Shimon Peres, decided to give peace a 
     chance. A peace that will solve most of the problems of the 
     State of Israel. I was a military man for twenty-seven years. 
     I fought as long as there were no prospects for peace. Today 
     I believe that there are prospects for peace, great 
     prospects. We must take advantage of it for the sake of those 
     standing here, and for the sake of those who do not stand 
     here. And they are many among our people.
       I have always believed that the majority of the people want 
     peace, are prepared to take risks for peace. And you here, by 
     showing up at this rally, prove it, along with the many who 
     did not make it here, that the people truly want peace and 
     oppose violence. Violence is undermining the very foundations 
     of Israeli democracy. It must be condemned, denounced, and 
     isolated. This is not the way of the State of Israel. 
     Controversies may arise in a democracy, but the decision must 
     be reached through democratic elections, just as it happened 
     in 1992, when we were given the mandate to do what we are 
     doing, and to continue to do it.
       I want to thank from here the President of Egypt, the King 
     of Jordan, and the King of Morocco, whose representatives are 
     present here, conveying their partnership with us on the 
     march toward peace. But above all--the people of Israel, who 
     have proven, in the three years this government has been in 
     office, that peace is attainable, a peace that will provide 
     an opportunity for a progressive society and economy. Peace 
     exists first and foremost in our prayers, but not only in 
     prayers. Peace is what the Jewish People aspire to, a true 
     aspiration.
       Peace entails difficulties, even pain. Israel knows no path 
     devoid of pain. But the path of peace is preferable to the 
     path of war. I say this to you as one who was a military man 
     and minister of defense, and who saw the pain of the families 
     of IDF soldiers. It is for their sake, and for the sake of 
     our children and grandchildren, that I want this government 
     to exert every effort, exhaust every opportunity, to promote 
     and to reach a comprehensive peace.
       This rally must send a message to the Israeli public, to 
     the Jewish community throughout the world, to many, many in 
     the Arab world and in the entire world, that the people of 
     Israel want peace, support peace, and for that, I thank you 
     very much.




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