[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to join my colleagues in 
the United States Congress and world leaders in celebrating the 
creation of the State of Israel on this 56th anniversary of Israel's 
Independence Day. On this historic day, we honor the achievements of 
the Jewish people and the Jewish state, and salute a young and proud 
nation that has accomplished so much in so little time.
  In the 56 years since independence, Israel has welcomed immigrants 
from all corners of the world as her population grew from 806,000 to 
6,780,000 people, including over a million new immigrants from the 
former Soviet Union. Israel today is a vibrant democracy, the only 
democracy in the Middle East, and a world leader in technology and 
agricultural innovation for arid regions.
  We must remember that these great achievements have come at a great 
cost. More than 20,000 Israel Defense Force members have died fighting 
for the cause of a Jewish state in the years since the war of 
independence--over 185 Israeli soldiers in the past year alone, since 
the last Remembrance and Independence Days.
  And we must also honor and remember those innocent civilians who have 
been killed by terrorists trying to destroy the State of Israel and her 
people. In the last year, at least 176 people were murdered and 906 
wounded in terrorist attacks.
  On this Day of Independence, the United States of America and Israel 
stand side-by-side in our commitment to democracy, to peace, and to the 
State of Israel. The United States will never flinch and will never 
waiver in its support for the safety and security of the State of 
Israel and of her people.

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