[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E938-E939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PALESTINIAN ANTI-TERRORISM ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2006

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4681, the 
Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, PATA, which passed the House earlier 
today. PATA denies all direct aid to the Hamas-run Palestinian 
Authority until it renounces violence and recognizes Israel's right to 
exist.
  Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for killing hundreds of 
innocent men and women, including over two dozen Americans. In fact, in 
April, a suicide bomber killed 9 and injured over 60 civilians in Tel 
Aviv, but Hamas has not disavowed the act nor denied complicity.
  If Hamas will not agree to fight terrorism, recognize Israel's right 
to exist as a Jewish state, or accept previous agreements between the 
Palestinian Authority and Israel, then Hamas is not a partner of the 
United States, let alone a partner worthy of funding from American 
taxpayers' hard earned dollars.
  Madam Speaker, let me be clear, no one wishes to harm Palestinians or 
to deny them humanitarian aid. In fact, this bill ensures that 
humanitarian aid is still able to reach the Palestinian people, while 
keeping taxpayer dollars out of the hands of terrorists. Unfortunately, 
since its election 3 months ago, Hamas has consistently made a choice; 
faced with the option of peace, negotiation, and a path forward, or 
continued violence and the status quo, Hamas has chosen the latter. As 
long as Hamas continues to make that decision, the United States and 
her allies will continue to isolate Rarnas and to deny funding to a 
terrorist group.
  I appreciate that so many of my colleagues share my support for PATA.

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