[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS BY OUR FRIEND AND ALLY 
                                 ISRAEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 
founding of Israel, I am proud that the United States and Israel have 
built a strong, unique, and special relationship.
  It took the United States, under President Harry Truman's leadership, 
only 11 minutes after Israel had been declared a state to officially 
welcome her into the community of nations. After, President Truman 
said, ``I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith 
in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it--not just 
another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of 
our civilization.''
  The creation of the State of Israel was a bold step in May of 1948. 
The first prime minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, once said that 
``courage is a special kind of knowledge: the knowledge of how to fear 
what ought to be feared and how not to fear what ought not to be 
feared.'' It is from such courage that the State of Israel was formed 
and from which Israel continues to maintain its vibrant and strong 
democracy today. We can all learn examples from the struggles that the 
citizens have endured and the grief they have overcome to remain a 
democratic outpost in the Middle East.
  The achievements of the Israeli people and their government over the 
past 60 years are remarkable. For instance, when it comes to education, 
well over half of Israelis aged 20- 24 are enrolled in one of the 
country's institutions of post-secondary or higher education. 
Healthcare is guaranteed by law--for all Israelis--from infancy to old 
age. As for agriculture, the country produces almost 70 percent of its 
food requirements--from land that was once not remotely capable of 
sustaining crops or livestock. Finally, despite the growing demand for 
expansion of farmland and industrial centers, the Israeli government 
has set aside land for 150 nature reserves and 65 national parks 
throughout the country, with several hundred additional sites in 
planning. While these achievements are each remarkable in their own 
right, they are only a sample of what Israel has accomplished in a mere 
60 years.
  As a lifelong supporter of our most important ally in the Middle 
East, I have had the pleasure of traveling to Israel. These visits have 
only reinforced my strong conviction that Israel, like all states in 
the world, has the right to respond in self-defense to protect her 
sovereignty and citizens.
  As chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations Special 
Intelligence Oversight Panel, I know that Israel has been a loyal and 
cooperative partner in combating terrorism. Our country has a lot to 
learn from Israel and her experiences with acts of terrorism.
   As Israel continues to face threats from her neighbors, America must 
continue to stand with her. Additionally, a strong American 
relationship with Israel is essential for regional stability. We have a 
responsibility to help Israel stand up to and prevent terrorist 
attacks. Last year, I supported $2.4 billion in military assistance for 
Israel, and will continue to support additional U.S. foreign assistance 
for Israel.
   I also strongly believe that the United States must remain actively 
engaged in ensuring a peaceful settlement of the current conflict 
between the two parties.
   It is essential that the United States become more involved 
diplomatically to help diffuse conflicts like the one in Lebanon two 
summers ago and help move the parties to a broader settlement that will 
defang the militant and terrorist factions and will result in a 
peaceful Middle East and a viable two states.
   Much work remains unfinished. We are all troubled by the daily 
rocket attacks by Hamas from Gaza against innocent civilians in Israel. 
Israel clearly has a right to defend herself against these deadly 
attacks. This has been yet another unique year for Israel, full of 
challenges that were admirably met.
   I am pleased to join with the Jewish community of New Jersey and all 
Americans in celebrating 60 years of Israel's existence as a beacon of 
democracy and hope in the Middle East. I look forward to future 
anniversaries, and to the day when Israel and her citizens can live in 
peace without fear.

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