[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 63 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ISRAEL'S 57TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2005

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, it is a special privilege for 
me today to honor the nation of Israel on its 57th birthday. On May 14, 
1948--the fifth day of Iyar, 5708 under the Jewish calendar--after 
years without a national homeland, the Jewish people established a new 
country. As Israelis celebrate their country's 57th anniversary, the 
international community is celebrating with them 50 years of 
independence.
  In the 30th Congressional District of Texas, the Dallas Jewish 
Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas, DFW International, 
Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas & the Rabbinic Association of 
Greater Dallas and other organizations have scheduled a series of 
events to commemorate this occasion.
  As someone with a great interest in Israel, Middle Eastern affairs 
and world peace, I believe that the political transformations in this 
region during the past few years have been dramatic. We have come a 
long way, despite attempts by extreme factions to harm Israel and the 
cause of peace in the region.
  I would like to quote an excerpt from Israel's `declaration of 
independence,' published 57 years ago as the British mandate over the 
area drew to an end: `We extend our hand in peace and neighborliness to 
all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to 
cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of 
all.'
  It is in that spirit, and with that faith, that I will continue to 
work with the administration to ensure the United States remains firm 
in its commitment to the security of Israel and to those principles 
necessary to guarantee the success of the Arab-Israeli peace process.

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