[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E812]]
          HONORING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 2008

  Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, May 14th marks the 60th anniversary of 
the modern State of Israel. For six decades, America has stood by 
Israel's side as her partner in peace and defended her as a beacon of 
democracy in a region dominated by war, authoritarian regimes, and 
religious conflict.
  In 1948, the United States became the first country to welcome Israel 
into the community of nations, and we have stood with and supported her 
as she has defended herself from those who seek her destruction each 
and every day.
  Israel has been our staunchest ally in the Middle East, as well as a 
full partner in the global war against radical jihadists--individuals 
who attack our Nation, our children, our values, and the very existence 
of Western civilization.
  The Old Testament teaches us the foundation of Israel's storied past. 
For three thousand years, the Jewish people have created a cultural, 
religious, and national identity, a connection rooted in their unbroken 
ties to the Holy Land. When the modern State of Israel was created 60 
years ago, that Jewish heritage was renewed.
  Madam Speaker, Israel has a legal, moral, and historical right to 
exist in peace with secure and defensible borders.
  Make no mistake, Israel's challenges are vast. Each day Israelis face 
the verbal and physical threat of annihilation looming on the horizon. 
From Tehran. Damascus, and Hebron come unrelenting calls for the 
destruction of the State of Israel. Meantime, rockets from Gaza rain 
down on the homes and schools of Sderot. Ashkelon, and other Israeli 
cities, all the while the United Nations sits idle and echoes anti-
Israel, anti-Semitic proclamations. Israel remains a nation under 
siege.
  Therefore, Madam Speaker, today I come to this floor, our own altar 
of democracy, to celebrate a nation that has turned adversity into 
triumph and took a dispersed population and made them whole. Like 
America, Israel is a country of immigrants and has opened its doors to 
every Jewish immigrant to become a citizen. This story has now united 
people from over 70 countries and has turned Israel into a society of 
multi-ethnic communities living side by side with one another.
  As the world's oldest democracy, today we celebrate the success of a 
democratic relative. Israel exists in a part of the world that knows 
little democracy, yet Israel has displayed the hope and dignity that 
accompanies rule by the people and personal freedom. Although blessed 
with few natural resources, this young nation has seen the fruits of 
its labor pay off through an incredible amount of economic prosperity 
and cultural creativity.
  Yet as Israel works for peace with security, we must not forget that 
peace can never be achieved by asking Israel to put at risk its 
sovereignty and the safety of its people.
  We must constantly reaffirm our own ties to this democratic society 
in a part of the world so desperately in need of democracy. This is 
vitally important to our own security. And we must all realize this.
  Thus, I will continue to support Israel and pray she one day will 
live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats 
or acts of force.
  I am honored to come to the floor today to celebrate the 60th 
anniversary of our ally, the nation of Israel.

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