[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker. I rise in honor of Israel Independence Day, 
Yom Ha'atzmaut, to celebrate the strength of the U.S.-Israel 
relationship and pay tribute to the people of Israel whose vibrant 
democracy and brave military stand beside us on the front lines of the 
war against terrorism.
  In the fifty-six years since the establishment of the State of 
Israel, the United States has worked with Israel to create a wide array 
of foundations and forums for bilateral cooperation on issues ranging 
from agriculture, science, energy, and the environment, to the 
development of technology for military and homeland security needs.
  We have also worked hard to build a robust economic relationship. 
Despite the small size of Israel's population, Israel's GNP is now 
higher than that of most of its neighbors combined. This is a testament 
to the openness of the Israeli economy and its high volume of trade 
with the United States.
  Perhaps most fundamental, however, is our work together to advance 
peace and security in the region. While Israeli peace agreements with 
Egypt and Jordan are enduring cornerstones of this effort, the refusal 
of the Palestinian leadership to embrace a peaceful and democratic 
future remains a painful challenge.
  Each year, on the Israeli calendar, the celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut 
comes on the heels of Yom Ha'zikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, when the 
nation expresses its eternal debt and gratitude to the soldiers who 
gave their lives for the achievement of the country's independence and 
its continued existence. Tragically, over the past three years of 
Palestinian terrorism, hundreds of Israeli civilians have joined those 
fallen heroes on front lines that now encompass the doorstep of its 
cafes, buses, and supermarkets.
  Although the Palestinians have attempted to justify their hatred as a 
reaction to Israel's settlement policy or its acts of self defense, the 
true source of violence is the Palestinian leadership's desire to 
annihilate the Jewish State even if it sacrifices the dream of 
Palestinian statehood.
  That is why even as the United States remains an honest broker in the 
effort to reach a final peace settlement, as a nation fighting the 
threat of terrorism ourselves we must continue to act in solidarity 
with Israel and on behalf of its right to exist as a secure, 
democratic, and Jewish state for generations to come.

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