[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STATEMENT OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2008

   Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to honor the 60th 
anniversary of the state of Israel and to honor the people and 
accomplishments of this great nation.
   From its inception in 1948, Israel has had a long and painful 
struggle to sustain itself. On May 14, 1948, the United States was the 
first Nation to extend its formal recognition of Israel as a state, and 
our two states have since maintained a strong relationship through 
shared values and interests. Israel has a great deal to be proud of. It 
has built itself into a strong democracy with an advanced industrial, 
market economy in one of the most volatile regions of the world. While 
facing many challenges, it places a great emphasis on quality of life 
and leads the region in regards to education, democratic participation, 
and having a free press. The United States and Israel have had a strong 
relationship throughout their history, sharing these values. Our own 
country has benefited from Israel's prosperous economy, and in 1985, 
Israel and the United States concluded a free trade agreement. Israel's 
Silicon Wadi, an area comparable to the U.S.'s Silicon Valley, is one 
of the most robust telecommunications and technology industry areas in 
the world. As testament to this fact, important American companies have 
research and development facilities located there.
   As we honor Israel's accomplishments, we also recognize the 
continued security threats the country faces from terrorist 
organizations and aggressive neighbors. Innocent Israelis are attacked 
with rockets and suicide bombings while belligerent leaders of other 
nations call for nothing short of Israel's destruction. The American 
people and Congress have consistently condemned these attacks on our 
friends. In the most recent example--rocket attacks from Gaza--the 
House passed a resolution strongly condemning these attacks, as well as 
the organizations and states supporting them. We have also provided aid 
for Israel's defense and for the security of the Middle East and will 
continue to support Israel's right to defend itself. While the 
challenges remain, the Israeli people have endured and persevered 
throughout history, and they will continue to do so, and the United 
States will remain a stalwart ally.
   Madam Speaker, I again congratulate the people of Israel on this 
historic anniversary and wish them a peaceful and prosperous future.

                          ____________________