[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S14293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MAGEN DAVID ADOM

  Mr. FRIST. For 75 years, the Magen David Adom has served as Israel's 
emergency relief service..
  Founded in 1930 by seven Israeli doctors and a one-room emergency 
medical service, the MDA has grown to play a major role working 
alongside the Israeli Army Medical Corps in times of war and peace.
  Twelve hundred employees and more than 10,000 volunteers have helped 
countless disaster, accident, and terrorism victims within Israel's 
borders.
  And on battlefields and disaster areas around the world, the relief 
service has distinguished itself with consummate caring, 
professionalism and bravery.
  Even the United States has been a beneficiary of the MDA's 
humanitarian efforts.
  Most recently, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina MDA Israel 
launched an emergency mission named ``United Brotherhood'' to collect 
donations, funds, clothing and other equipment for the New Orleans 
survivors who were left homeless.
  Despite their indisputably noble work, for nearly 60 years the 
organization has been excluded from the International Red Cross and Red 
Crescent Movement.
  The reason? The Israeli agency has been excluded for 60 years because 
of its decision to retain its own protective symbol rather than adopt 
the Red Cross or the Red Crescent.
  Finally, this month, the impasse was broken.
  An overwhelming majority of the state-parties to the Geneva 
Conventions approved a new protective symbol--a ``Red Crystal''--to 
allow the relief agency to operate as a member of the global 
humanitarian movement.
  Within Israel's territory, the agency will still use the Red Star of 
David.
  Around the world, it will use the Red Crystal Protective Symbol, with 
the option of also displaying its traditional logo if the host country 
permits.
  Aside from a few remaining formalities, the Israeli emergency service 
will, finally, at long last, take its place as a full member of the 
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
  I would have liked to have seen straightforward international 
recognition of the traditional symbol. But the new Red Crystal is a 
worthy and fair compromise.
  I commend the International Committee of the Red Cross and the 
American Red Cross for their efforts to bring this vital and life 
saving organization into the fold.
  And I applaud the Magen David Adom for their compassionate and 
honorable work inspired by faith and carried out everyday with 
extraordinary courage.

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