[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1475-E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
Israel, our ally in the Middle East. I would like to thank Majority 
Leader Boehner and Chairman Hyde for their leadership in bringing this 
timely resolution to the floor.
  Since its inception nearly sixty years ago, Israel has been engaged 
in a war for its survival. It has conducted that war according to every 
rule set out by the international community and has always acted with 
restraint when it comes to civilians. Israel's enemies have not only 
acted without restraint, they have deliberately targeted civilians in 
an effort to terrorize the nation.
  Israel is now engaged in a new chapter of its war on terror. I fully 
support Israel's right to defend its citizens by using all means 
necessary to destroy terrorists and those that support them. However, 
we must also consider the root cause of today's violence. For nearly 
thirty years, the government of Iran has been monetarily and militarily 
supporting Hezbollah around the world. Evidence of Syrian and Iranian 
complicity in Hezbollah's abduction of two Israeli soldiers last week 
is abundant.
  The scourge of terrorism will never go away until the state sponsors 
of terrorism have been dealt with decisively. Iran today remains the 
world's largest state sponsor of terror. Iran's president has 
repeatedly threatened to bring a rain of fire to Israel and the United 
States. Imagine what might happen if they get a nuclear weapon to back 
up those threats. The majority of the Iranian people oppose the 
theocratic dictators that rule their country. The time has come for the 
United States to actively support the Iranian people and help them 
bring about democratic change in their country.

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