[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY

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                               speech of

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to celebrate the fifty-eight 
years since the founding of the State of Israel. This momentous 
occasion is not only a joyous day for the people of Israel but for all 
who cherish freedom and democracy.
  The people of the United States and the people of Israel have an 
ever-lasting bond made even stronger by the events of September 11th. 
Jewish Americans have made innumerable contributions to our nation 
throughout its history. Many Jewish Americans also became instrumental 
in the founding of Israel. These bonds have been strengthened since the 
events of September 11th. Together with Israel and all freedom loving 
nations, we will put an end to the fanaticism of terrorism and the 
threat it poses to the survival of not only the United States and 
Israel, but to other nations as well.
  The need for a safe haven for Jewish people across the world is 
obvious. Persecution of Jews was practiced for generations throughout 
Europe and elsewhere. The visionaries who founded Israel established 
this safe haven to preserve the lives and culture of one of the great 
peoples and cultures on this Earth. Almost sixty years later, they are 
still fighting to preserve their great traditions and culture. But 
Israel has grown and prospered despite the relentless and mindless 
attacks perpetuated by the enemies of freedom. It has done so with the 
steadfast support of its friends in the United States and I am proud to 
count myself as one of these.
  I want to take this opportunity to recognize the leadership of 
Israel's Consul General in New York, Arye Mekel, and the hard work of 
the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Arye Mekel has 
worked tirelessly to advocate on the behalf of the State of Israel and 
the Council has provided invaluable assistance to New York City as a 
whole and the New York Jewish Community.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in congratulating the State of 
Israel on its fifty-eighth birthday and vow to work hard to ensure that 
the alliance between our two countries continues to grow.

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