[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1484]
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. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2006

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great sadness over the 
events in Lebanon.
  I believe we must speak with one voice that Israel has a right to 
defend itself. I believe we are unanimous in our opinion that Hezbollah 
began this conflict; and I believe that we are unanimous that Iran and 
Syria continue to destructively meddle in the emerging democracy of 
Lebanon.
  This resolution comes at a time when Lebanon--a potential unwavering 
ally to the United States, a western looking democracy, has become an 
unfortunate proxy in a war between Israel and extremism.
  Right now, there are 5,000 of my constituents who are facing bombing 
raids and a harrowing escape from war. They were in Lebanon visiting 
friends, relatives, childhood homes, or just enjoying Lebanon's sites, 
and now they are in a war zone. As their representative, my first 
responsibility is to them.
  The events of the last week have been horrific. The violence on both 
sides of the Israeli-Lebanon border has escalated, and more and more 
people, mostly civilians, have seen their lives forever changed.
  Innocent Israelis and innocent Lebanese have been pulled into a 
conflict not of their own making. The ``Peace of the Brave'', that 
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin gave his life for, is today a lost hope.
  Diplomacy, which the last Administration was criticized for using too 
much, seems to be a dirty word today.
  This House, which after each Middle East conflagration brings a 
resolution of resolve and solidarity to the floor, could do much more 
to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese.
  Last summer, we passed unanimously a resolution that said, the United 
States would support efforts to enhance Lebanon's sovereignty. The same 
resolution said, ``The United States should aid the people of Lebanon 
in their efforts to restore the separation of powers, the rule of law, 
and a proper respect for fundamental freedoms of every citizen.''
  We promised a commitment to the people of Lebanon that is not 
entirely reflected in this resolution. We said we would support them, 
and in my view the best way we can support them is to bring about a 
cessation of violence.
  Israel's right to defend itself is absolute, but I am concerned that 
the current action will make it impossible for Lebanon's small military 
to properly assert itself along the troubled border.
  We should support Prime Minister Tony Blair's plan to expand the 
international force along the southern border. We should also begin to 
rethink our own aid package to Lebanon's democratic government.
  The United States can truly change hearts and minds in the Middle 
East if we commit ourselves to helping to rebuild Lebanon's 
infrastructure, help professionalize and equip their national military, 
and provide the economic assistance they will need to keep their 
restive population employed and prosperous.
  That is where I believe this resolution should be focused, and I 
believe it is in that omission that this Congress' policy is woefully 
inadequate.
  The events of the past few days are heartbreaking. Not only because 
the unfolding violence involves our dear, and unwavering ally, Israel 
but also because it has sucked in Lebanon, a fragile nation that has 
had a bitter history and has only recently begun to reemerge from its 
dark past.
  Madam Speaker, most tragically it was only 6 years ago that we were 
on the cusp of something almost magical--peaceful coexistence in the 
Middle East. The engagement of the United States was vital to that.
  The brave dream laid out by Yitzhak Rabin was shattered by an 
assassin's bullet. The brave concessions by Ehud Barak and the support 
of President Clinton almost realized that dream.
  But I believe we can get back to that moment. I believe it will take 
a fully engaged United States. I believe it will take a substantial 
investment on our part as a Congress to provide Lebanon and Israel with 
the assistance they need to overcome this crisis and reestablish 
security along their border.
  Unfortunately, this resolution does not address these issues, and is 
an inadequate statement of policy to the parties who are friends of 
peace.
  Madam Speaker, at this time I want to enter into the Record the names 
of twelve members of the Bzeih family who were killed as a result of 
the fighting--they have family in Michigan that held a memorial service 
for them on Sunday.
  Hajji Fatme Bzeih, 80 years old; Hajji Thanya, 74 years old; Souad 
Nassour, 38 years old; Mariam Naem, 52 years old; Mohamad Naem, 17 
years old; Malaak Naem, 17 years old; Hussein Naem, 11 years old; Naeem 
Naem, 24 years old; Ammal Bzeih, 42 years old; Khouloud Bzeih, 18 years 
old; Farah Bzeih, 12 years old; and Aziza Bzeih, 9 years old.

                          ____________________