[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E83-E84]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE KAGEN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2009

  Mr. KAGEN. Madam Speaker, I deeply regret that I was not able to vote 
on H. Res. 34 recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against 
attacks from Gaza and reaffirming the United States' strong support for 
Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. On 
Wednesday, January 7, 2009, I had surgery on my knee and was not able 
to be present for voting.
  Make no mistake about it, I fully support Israel's right to defend 
itself against all attacks. I would have wholeheartedly voted for H. 
Res. 34.
  Presently, Israel, like any other country, is exercising its right to 
self-defense. If any country were attacked like Israel has been they 
would do the same.
  How many attacks on an American city would we tolerate from our 
neighbors? Zero.
  In July 2008, I visited Sderot, an Israeli town just over the border 
from Gaza. I toured sites where Israeli homes were destroyed by rockets 
launched from Gaza. I met with the U.S.

[[Page E84]]

Security Coordinator and understand the daily threat Israelis live with 
every single day. The constant and deliberate attacks by Hamas on 
Israeli civilians are unconscionable. The Israeli people must be 
allowed to go about their daily lives--and the only way to do that is 
by defending themselves.
  The United States has always been and must always be a steadfast ally 
of Israel. We will support Israel's right to defend itself and continue 
to push for a return to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
  I, like so many throughout the world, hope for a peaceful resolution 
to the current fighting and look forward to a sustainable peace when 
Israelis and Palestinians alike can live free from terror.

                          ____________________