[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 45 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E557-E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CALLING FOR RELEASE OF ISRAELI SOLDIERS HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS AND 
                               HEZBHOLLAH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 13, 2007

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 107--a bill calling for the immediate and unconditional 
release of Israeli soldiers being held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah.
  On July 12, 2006, Sergeant Udi Goldwasser and fellow soldier Eldad 
Regev were on patrol inside the Israeli border when their armored 
humvee was bombarded by Hezbollah rockets. Udi and Eldad were captured 
during this attack and have been held by Hezbollah militants for more 
than 8 months.
  I tell this story because just over one month ago, I had the pleasure 
of welcoming Udi Goldwasser's wife, Karnit, to the United States 
Capitol. She told me about how hard it has been to live without ``the 
love of her life'' and how her dreams of raising a peaceful and loving 
family with Udi are now in jeopardy due to the cowardly acts of a 
terrorist organization that has said it will not rest until her country 
is destroyed.
  Terrorist acts are not military actions between warring nations. They 
are despicable crimes that rob wives of husbands, husbands of wives and 
children of their parents. And as the leader of the free and democratic 
world, it is America's solemn duty to condemn such attacks whenever 
they occur and to support the justifiable actions of our ally Israel 
when it comes under heinous, premeditated attacks.

[[Page E558]]

  Today, I join Karnit Goldwasser in seeking to further the pursuit of 
liberty, democracy and peace throughout the world. And it is my sincere 
hope that Udi, Eldad and every other Israeli captive of Hamas and 
Hezbollah will be united with their families as soon as is humanly 
possible.

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